1998 Dodge Intrepid STARTER ISSUES

Tiny
DEMONCHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE INTREPID
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Having starter issues. Not sure where the problem is exactly. I have replaced the starter twice already. It seems to possibly be, whatever the part is called, the part that the starter engages into, inside the engine. Of course im not the mechanic type but you can hear and feel the starter engage.
Sunday, August 1st, 2010 AT 7:05 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,053 POSTS
Is it making a grinding noise? The starter engages with the flywheel. If the teeth are bad on it, you will hear a grinding or it could feel like there is a skip.
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 12:16 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No grinding. It sounds like the starter moves to engage the free spins. Hard to explain but it just seems like it has nothing to catch. I looked at the starter and I see nothing out of the ordinary.
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,053 POSTS
If the starter is just freewheeling and not engaging, the solenoid is bad. Remove it and take it to a parts store and have them bench test it to confirm.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 1:05 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I took it in and got it bench tested and was told that it passed. Put everything back together and tried again. Still no start. Took it back to the same place and had someone else test it but this time I watched them test it. Apparently they dont know what they are doing. They didnt notice that the starter wasn't engaging. But they did swap out my starter, via warranty, and I put it all back in. Works great now. Next question I guess, now that the problem is solved, is there a possible reason why I have gone through 3 starters in 3-4 months? Seems rediculous that I have to keep replacing the part.
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,053 POSTS
That is what I thought. I'm glad you're up and running again.

Honestly, I can't think of anything dealing with the electrical system that would cause the starter to go bad that often. The battery only produces a certain amount of voltage. If the starter is an after market or remanufacturered, it could just be of poor quality.

Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 11:49 PM

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