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Starter wont turn over

Tiny
DFELDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,000 MILES
Truck wouldnt start no clicking from starter. Charge battery with booster still doesnt turn starter, new battery, still nothing, checked relays, fuses, changed ignition switch, still nothing, can hear ignition relay click with cover offof power center under hood. Radio and signals also dont work, all gauges and power acc working, headlights, everything, but signals and radio dont work. Changed starter had tested, passed 4 times. Cleaned battery cables, starter cables, have continuity from positve terminal to starter wire. Wondering about neutral switch on transmission, doesnt start in neutral either
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 AT 8:18 AM

53 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hi, did you use a testlite and check voltage circuits at the relay. There are two voltage circuits, one for the load side of relay, according to my info, terminal 30, hot all the time. The other voltage circuit is for the coil side of relay, terminal 86, according to the wiring info, goes hot with the key in the start position. The smaller brown wire at the starter should be hot when trying to start?

This guide will help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
DFELDER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for the feedback, will go and get test light and check, too hard with a meter, this is sooo frustrating.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
DFELDER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Checked relays r ok. Odometer and dash light are out as well as computer wont like with code reader. Could the computer be dead. Really wierd
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Saturday, November 28th, 2009 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Something is not adding up? If you have good voltage and ground at the starter and no starter action, it's either the starter or a mechanical issue with the engine, making it hard to turn over. Watch the lites when you try to crank, if the lites stay bright and no reaction, there is no load on the starter. I've already told you what voltage circuits to check, if everything checks out, don't know?
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Saturday, November 28th, 2009 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
DFELDER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Tell me about it. Have never joined a site like this before cause have always been able to fix a problem but this has got me stumped, the lights dim when trying to start, never thought of something seized, cause I drove the truck where it sits. Will take belt off and see if I can turn over engine, or if accesory drive is seized, (alternator, or water pump or ac). Never thought of that, will let u know, thanks. Still cant fiqure out why dash is out and odometer is dead. This truck has been really good. Only other thing done to it is ball joints, dont want to give up on it
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Sunday, November 29th, 2009 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I don't think an accessory drive would keep the crank from turning? With belts off, it might make the crank easier for you to turn. Fluid in the cylinders could cause hydrostatic lock, pull the plugs.

I've seen parts that were tested good at the store, but, wouldn't work on the vehicle. The store uses their own voltage hook-ups. You use the circuits on the truck. Can you tell if the starter drive gear is hooking up with flywheel? On some makes and models, there may be a dust cover that you can remove, for the flywheel, if you can see the starter gear, see if it is acting correctly? Hey, right now, I'm stumped also?

At some point, I'd have to try an other starter. Ask the person at the parts house if you can bring the starter back if it doesn't fix the problem? If you had the starter tested at a store, that store may not agree to a return, try a different store. Some stores will let you return an electrical part, some won't, it don't hurt to ask.
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Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
RHARRISON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE DAKOTA
The truck barely wants to turn over, even with a new battery. It runs fine once it starts. It just hesitates when you turn the key. Like a dead battery. After a second it barely turns, but it will start. Starter problem?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAXVOLT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Sounds like the starter solenoid is sticking. It happens, older back yard mechanics use to carry a hammer to tape the sides of the starter when it happened. Bottom line. Time for a new starter, but before you do that, make sure your getting adequate voltage down at the starter. Could be bad cables too.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEDSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 169,000 MILES
I have a 99 3.9L Dakota. The truck worked well for me last weekend and now I can't get it to start. The battery had some corrosion on the positive terminal and was old so I replaced it with a new one. I knocked some of the corrosion of the terminal and place the battery in the truck. Initially it would not even start. Now I got it to turn over and fire but it will stall after that. I can keep the truck running if I stay on the accelerator but as soon as I let off it will stall. Any ideas?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
REAL common problem. Just go out and drive it; it will be fine.

When you disconnected the battery, the engine computer lost its mind. It needs to relearn minimum throttle so it knows when to be in control of idle speed and when to leave it up to you. It will put the value from the throttle position sensor in memory when it knows your foot is off the gas pedal. It figures out when that is occurring when you're coasting. The conditions you must meet are to coast down from highway speed for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.

Caradiodoc
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZEEZOK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
1998 Dodge Dakota sport v6, 71000 miles. When I turnt the key to start the truck, I just get a loud CLICK. I changed the starter once and it worked fine for two days and the same problem occured. Just one loud CLICK when I turn the key. I replaced the starter again and it worked once then went out again. I have checked my battery, cleaned the terminals, checked the starter relay. I am stumped. Please help!
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JUNKYMAGI
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
Check the wiring from the battery to the starter and engine block.

Mine used to do that and it was from a bad battery cable clamp. It would carry the small current for lights/radio and stuff but the surge from trying to start it would cause it to just click (sounds like someone snapping a pencil) and not start (lights would go out too, does everything stay on when this happens?).
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZEEZOK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
That was the problem. I replaced the battery cables and everything worked fine. Thank you for your help.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMMY GATEWOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
My Dodge Dakota check engine light came on about a week ago had checked told emission no problem to drive. I now can crank and run the truck fine sometime others goes dead and will not crank until sits for awhile then will crank. When it wont crank engines turns over but will not fire smells like fllooded. Sometime running down road will run ruff backfire and sometime stop when sits for awhile starts and runs?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hi, how long since a tune-up? Use gage and check fuel pressure. With an extended crank, have a helper crank it, while you visually check for spark at the plugs. Let us know.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMMY GATEWOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I will thanks
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PENNYLOVE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Please help truck sometimes cut off sometimes want turn over. Sometime skip
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check it for tune up
check ASD Relay
check crank sensor

Have an automotive repair question!
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHARLES E. MCGOWEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 230,000 MILES
Truck has a new battery. Starter and altonator has been check but will not start.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Maybe faulty ignition switch, starter relay in Power Dist. Center or neutral safety switch. Do you have a volt meter or test light and wiring diagram for truck?
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)

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