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Car Won't Start.. any ideas?... Regarding 1991 Dodge Shadow

S

SaturnX

Diamond Member
Hey people...

Well out the blue last weekend, my car's completely died on me, I had driven it the day before without any problems, and then I go to try and start it the next day.. and nothing...

The engine won't turn over at all, all I'm getting is clicks, which I believe are from the starter, but it's not engaging.

Also the fuel pump will randomly go on/off, but that's electrical, thing is I'm not getting anything to the engine.

It's almost as if the car thinks it's in gear and won't start, kind of... but that's really all I got about it, worked fine, now it doesn't, and I'm in the middle of finals, so I can't get it out to a shop for another week or so.

Thanks, any input is appreciated, anything really, at least finding a place to start.

--Mark

Again, it's a 1991 Dodge Shadow,
 
Your battery is dead. I had this exact thing. It just would click away. Jump start it and leave your car on for a good 20 minutes so your battery can recharge.

danny~!
 
Right, that's what I forgot to mention, I tried boosting it.. but didn't seem to go.. still just kept clicking at me.

--Mark
 
Originally posted by: SaturnX
Right, that's what I forgot to mention, I tried boosting it.. but didn't seem to go.. still just kept clicking at me.

--Mark
Click to expand...

Were you using decent booster cables? Sometimes those cheap sets won't give enough juice to turn over a car. Clean the battery terminals and try jump starting it again. If it isn't that then it's probably the starter.
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: SaturnX
Right, that's what I forgot to mention, I tried boosting it.. but didn't seem to go.. still just kept clicking at me.

--Mark
Click to expand...

Were you using decent booster cables? Sometimes those cheap sets won't give enough juice to turn over a car. Clean the battery terminals and try jump starting it again. If it isn't that then it's probably the starter.
Click to expand...


Yeah, they were quality cables... I'll try giving it another boost and see what happens...

--Mark
 
Try a different battery, or take it into an auto parts store and have them test it. Sounds like the battery is no longer taking a charge.
 
Well, the battery was fine as I suspected, turns out the starter solenoid was jammed, so I tossed in a new starter motor and it's running as good as new :beer:

Luckily I had three lying around in my basement.

--Mark
 
Most likely it's the relay. If it's mounted separate from the motor, probably on the firewall, or on the inner fender, you can replace it for $5.00, and it will only take 5 minutes. If it's mounted on the starter, you cold rap on the starter with a large screwdriver, or small hammer while somebody else turns the key. It's probably carbon on the switch. If it starts when you rap on it, you'll know it's the solenoid. Might as well replace the starter and solenoid as a unit, since you'll have to remove the starter to get at it anyway.

Edit: Duh, guess I could have saved a bunch of typing if I had read to the end of the thread... 😱
 
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