Just clicking

Tiny
TIM KOCHER
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,300 MILES
Starter?
Monday, March 27th, 2017 AT 6:50 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,584 POSTS
Low battery is the most likely suspect. Then poor connections and finally a bad starter. Remove the battery cables and clean the. While you have them off put a charger on the battery and let it charge fully. While it is charging you can examine the connections for corrosion and being tight.
Once the battery is charged, reconnect it and see if the problem is gone. Either way post back.
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Monday, March 27th, 2017 AT 7:08 AM
Tiny
TIM KOCHER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Turns out it was the battery. Went to jump it, and started right up. Went to Walmart, $100 well spent. Thanks!
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Monday, March 27th, 2017 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,584 POSTS
You're welcome.
Thank you for using 2CarPros. Com. Tell your friends, family and anyone you like about us and please return with any auto related questions, we're here to help.
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Monday, March 27th, 2017 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
MIALMASOUL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 58,844 MILES
I went to start my car and it just made a click click click noise, and after several tries, the dashboard lights started to dim. When I went to attempt to jump the battery I found what was one negative terminal marked NEG. When I tried to connect the negative clamp for the charge, the cables got hot. I don't really know WHAT the problem is, but I cannot start my car, and I don't know how to jump it. HELP
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If the problem continues after getting the vehicle started-Get the battery and alternator load tested. If okay get it check for a short circuit that's draining the battery

Also go to this link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIALMASOUL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 58,844 MILES
Went to start my car this morning and it just made a click click click noise and the dashboard lights grew dim.
Went to try to jump start the battery, and only found a post marked NEG under the hood, and when connected the battery cables, they got hot. HELP
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, your owners manual, showed the below info for cables.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/170934_04_dodge_stratus_jumper_cables_1.jpg



If the battery is down, take it out, get it recharged. Too many issues trying to jump. A lot of public service outfits that used to carry jumper cables, to help people. Have quit because of liability issues associated with jumper cables.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYBIRD075
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
Where is the starter on my car and what do I have to take off to get to it and could it possibly be anything else that makes it just click when trying to start it
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, I'd make sure the battery has a full charge and the cables/wires are clean and tight on both ends. Did you try jumper cables?

Follow the positive battery cable, it goes to the starter. Because of the clicking sound, I don't believe the theft system is an issue.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TWILK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
Two days ago, my car was fine. I parked it and I did not leave any lights on and locked the car. Today I go out to the car and tried unlocking it but the power locks wouldn't work so I had to use my key. Then I began to start the car and it did not turn on at all. It didn't even make the clicking noise that the battery is dead. What could be the problem?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, I'd make sure the battery has a full charge, check that the battery cables/wires are all clean and tight on both ends. Go from there.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAYNARDTISK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Where do you go from there? I'm having this same problem. I've checked the cables as well as the terminals. Nothing!
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, what year--make-- model?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAWBAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
I purchased this car new have always had it serviced at the dealer. I've never had an after market stereo installed, I have goast drain even when I make sure that nothing is on. If you don't drive the car every day the battery will be dead the next day.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Thank you for the donation.

What you need to do is have a current draw test done, this is done by placing an Amp meter between Battery Pos (+) and the battery lead, with the key out and doors closed check the current draw, there should be only around.15-.2 amps max, any more and you have a circuit open, start pulling fuses and circuit breakers, and fusible links one at a time to isolate the faulty circuit, also unplug the alternator as a faulty diode will cause this and still show a charge rate, if in doubt get your mechanic to do this test for you.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_parastic_draw_1_131.jpg

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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SEAFIRST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 100,000 MILES
Replaced battery and alt. Let it sit two days battery drained
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have a draw when your car is shut off. Go back to the site here and it will tell you how to check for a battery draw.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.

You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)

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