2000 Dodge Dakota No power

BERSERKBEAST

MEMBER
2000 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
MANUAL
160,000 MILES

This is probably an easy question but I want to make sure before I pull anything. The vehicle has been having starting problems for the past few weeks, and after some maintenance it had improved, but today I go to start it and it clunks then dies. It will not start, it won't turn over, it is like the battery is dead, but it had turned over just fine when the problem occurred, no shortage of power or nothing to indicate batter or alternator problem.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,858 POSTS

We need to make sure there is power to the starter. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for power to the smaller wire on the starter. It should have 12+ volts. Let me know what you find.

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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:31 AM

BERSERKBEAST

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Like I said it was probably real easy and it took my friend's help in order for me to see it. The neutral wire on my batter is loose and somewhere between my travels the battery strap has snapped in half (The original wasn't with the vehicle when I bought it so I had to buy a cheap one at the time). Vehicle working fine now heading to store to get new power cables, and see if I can find an actual battery holder that isn't going to snap in time. Thanks for the help Jacobandnckolas.

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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:31 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,858 POSTS

I'm glad to help, and I'm glad you found the problem. When I went to school for mechanics (years ago) I had a great teacher. Two of his sayings were "don't fix it if it isn't broke, and the other was. Any time there is an electrical problem, you have to start from the source, the battery." Most mechanics today don't do that, but as you can see, it can save a lot of trouble. My teacher died a couple years back, but he left a strong and honest work ethic with a lot of mechanics in my area.

Let me know if you run into other trouble or need further assistance, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe

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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:31 AM

BERSERKBEAST

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I will and thanks again, your teach was a good man from the sounds of it. I had an similar experience when I went to computer tech training always start at the source and work your way there. That's the best way to solve problems.

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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:31 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS