After a rain turn the key nothing happens

Tiny
STRUTTER1956
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 171,000 MILES
It seems like after a rain you can turn the key to start and nothing happens. Battery is fully charged. Next day after sun comes out it starts like there was nothing ever wrong with it. What could be the problem? Nothing is wet under the hood.
Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 3:38 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi Strutter,

When you say nothing happens, I assume the engine does not turn over. Do the lights in the dash come on?

Do you hear the starter click?

When the humidity is high, it can affect electrical connectors and if they are not good clean tight connections then this humidity can cause them to malfunction.

Depending on if the dash lights come on or not, I am thinking you have an issue with your transmission range sensor circuit. This is basically the sensor that tells the PCM that you are in park or neutral and it is ok to start the vehicle. Next time this happens, turn the key on and shift the vehicle to neutral and then try to start the vehicle and see if it starts in neutral. If it does then this is your issue.

Let me know about the dash light when you turn the key on because if they don't come on then this is probably not your issue.

Thanks
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
STRUTTER1956
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, when I turn the key starter does not engage, acts like a dead battery but battery has a full charge. Dome light do not dim either when I turn the key. I have tried putting it in neutral and that doesn't turn over the starter either. As far as the dash gauges, yes they do come on when I try to start it. Thanks
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Do me a favor, follow this link. It explains how to check a starter on the vehicle. You may just have a bad starter. When this happens, do what link suggests. If you find there is power to the starter and it doesn't engage, replace the starter.

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

Let us know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 7:45 PM

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