I just bought a 1995 Dakota Sport 4 cyl 5 speed. I drove it home just fine and it started the next day fine too. But when I was backing it out of my driveway, my foot slipped off the clutch and it stalled. After that, when I tried to start it again, it just turned over and over without starting. I thought it may be out of fuel since it was very low when I got it home. But after putting some gas in it, it still wouldn't start and it sounded like the battery was dying. So, I bought and installed a brand new battery and when I first turned the key to start it, there was a loud popping sound or something that came from the front. Then it sounded like the engine was frozen or seized or what-have-you. So I let it be and when I went to start it this morning, nothing happened. All the lights and buzzers work, so I know I hooked the battery up right, but the engine won't do anything. It doesn't make any sound or turn over.

Please help me out here. I don't want to spend $65 to have it towed to a shop only to find out that its something I can fix myself.

 

Does your starter engage but the motor doesnt turn? Or is your starter just not turning?

 

It doesn't do anything. The started motor isn't turning. I was thinking that it might be that, but with all the other things that happened, I didn't want to spend the money to get a starter if it was something more major.

 

if you have another car to tow it with or a couple strong buddies you could push/pull start it to see if it will start. That would be my first move.

Or pull the starter and take it to a parts store and have them test it.

 

Sounds like its the starter. Most autoparts stores can test it for free. Just remove and take it in.

 

UNhook the battery first.