Does not start?

Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CALIBER
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
My car won't start. Battery is charged so lights come on. When you turn the key over it won't do anything.
Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 AT 9:34 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
You are getting power but not the starter, when you turn the key can you hear the starter solenoid click? I would start by checking all the wires going to the starter for any corrosion or looseness. To be on the safe side also the connections on the battery. Let us know how you make out.
Mike
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
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No you can't hear anything at all no noise no nothing no clicking nothing.
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I noticed you haven't been contacted for a couple of days. Have you made any progress?

First, see if it will start in neutral. The neutral safety switch may be failing.

If there are no sounds made by the starter, we need to check for power to the yellow wire with a gray tracer on the starter motor. You will need a helper to do this. This wire only receives power when the key is in the start position. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check that wire for power. If there is power, chances are the starter motor itself has failed. If there isn't power, we may have a problem with the totally integrated power module (TIPM).

The TIPM design has been known to fail. They have too many tiny pins in the connectors that can corrode or break. We'll cross this road if we have to.

I attached the wiring schematic for the starter circuit, so you have a reference.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Note: The schematic was only one page long. I had to cut it in half to make it readable for you. I did overlap the two so you can follow from one to the next.
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Friday, September 23rd, 2022 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I took the starter out, took it to the local auto parts store and had it tested. It was working just fine. I also bought a new battery. Those things aren't cheap FYI. My old one was starting to bulge on the sides. Looked like the old battery was from when the car was bought brand new honestly, maintenance free. Anyhow the guy at the parts store said it could also be the ignition switch. If that's what it turns out to be there's no way I can do that. My dad taught me how to do certain things under the hood but nothing electrical. I'm just proud I'm a lady and I can work on my own car to an extent.
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Friday, September 23rd, 2022 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Oh yeah, the second pic wouldn't load. Thanks for all your help. I hope it's something easy I can fix. Because I can't afford to keep buying parts and then I'm sure I'll have to send it to a garage.
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Friday, September 23rd, 2022 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

No problem. When you have a chance, let me know what you find. Confirm there is no power at the trigger wire on the starter, If there isn't, then we will need to check for power at the TIPM.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, September 23rd, 2022 AT 11:15 PM
Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay, here's what I've found: It's called no crank no start. Now yesterday evening I had a friend come over and showed them what it was doing. Or it into N to show them it wouldn't start in P or N. About 20 mins later went out to show another friend and it started like 4 times in a row. I went out to start this morning and nothing. It once again won't start.
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Sunday, September 25th, 2022 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

It could be caused by a few different things. When it fails to start, that is when you need to check if the starter is getting power. If it is, the starter is bad. It may have worked when tested (as it did last night) and then fail again. The only way I can be sure is to check if there is power getting to the yellow wire with the gray tracer on the starter motor. If there is power, the starter is bad. If there is no power, we need to trace the wiring backward to find where power is lost.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, September 25th, 2022 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
The car would not turn over but when you showed your friends it started a couple times, My first thought is a problem with the neutral safety switch. Check our guide,

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

2carpros
Mike
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Monday, September 26th, 2022 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I give up on this car ever since I've been trying to start it the transmission overheating light has been on. Now it starts but it's a hard shift when put into gear and won't move
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Monday, September 26th, 2022 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Abbie,

There is a transmission temperature sensor that may have failed, or a wiring issue related to the sensor. However, I have a question. You indicated when you place it in gear it's a hard shift and it won't move. When it is in drive, does the engine rev as though it is in neutral or park? Also, have you checked the transmission fluid level and condition?

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

As far as the temperature light being on, there are a few different reasons why that could be happening. We need to scan the computer to see what specific code is stored. Is that something you have already done? If so, what code was retrieved?

Let me know.

Joe

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Monday, September 26th, 2022 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
ABBIE THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
This is what is going on now it's started.
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 AT 4:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I looked through the new codes. The second two are tied into the can-bus. It could be as simple as a wiring issue or move involved. It would take more diagnostics. The camshaft actuator solenoid could be a wiring issue, or the actuator could be bad.

Both are repairable, it just makes it take a little time to go through the diagnostics. If you want to pursue these issues, I would be happy to help. However, because the topics are different than the original one you indicated, I have to ask you to start a new post. I feel bad asking, but we request it so it is more helpful to others. I hope you understand.

Here is the link to start a new post. Simply attach one of the pics above and explain the issues you are experiencing.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Again, I hope you understand. I will watch for the post.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 AT 6:21 PM

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