I dunno even know where to begin...

I drove somewhere, got parked, and shut off my truck.. noticed my window was cracked, so i turned they to roll it up (noticed it went up slow)
Next i go to leave, and i try to start my durango, and CLICK.. nothing!

Called my Dad, and he came out to jump me.. guess what, wouldnt start.

Now is the weird part..

Id try to start it, and it would click, all lights and everything would go out, you could flip the key back and forth, and nothing.

So while nothing would work, noticed that the glove box light would flicker.. was a faint glow..

K, another weird thing.. no power to anything, no dash lights ect. I turn on both overhead lights manually, they were faint.. and then.. just out of the blue, they come on like normal. Power is restored to everything...

More weird ****.. Powers been restored, and I try to turn the ignition over again, CLICK.. but this time it was continuous, like a grinding (i dunno, the sound made when their isnt enough juice to turn it over.

Even more, (jumper cables have been hooked up this whole time, I have full power)... I shut the key off, pull it of the ignition, open my door and i can hear something clicking behind my glove box (?) Finally i get that to stop...

Well anyway it was cold, and it was late.. have permission for my truck to stay put for awhile and will attempt to get it going.. if not will be towed back home

Anyway some more recent facts..
*Transmission was just rebuilt, like 2 weeks ago
*Brand new started was installed, right before i stopped driving my Durango for a bit (while saving money for the rebuild)
*Brand new battery was installed from same shop who did the rebuild.

1 You can feel the starter relay, as starter is going click,click,click.. maybe thats normal?

Sorry for the long post.. im trying to be detailed because im not the most mechanically inclined.. Im lost on this situation.. any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

K, another detail.. after i got the overhead lights to come on, by turning them on manually, and everything kicked back on.. i decided to try the headlights. Turned the switch once and the parking lights and dash lights came on, no problem. Turn it once more, for headlights, and everything kicks off.

**also tried to start in neutral

 

the clicking you hear is the starter relay engagine, im seriously wondering if you have
a) a bad starter (i know it was just replaced but its stilll possible) or
b) corroded wires going TO the starter that its not getting enough juice to turn the thing over, or
c) bad starter relay where its not engaging all the way, its sticking partially engaged and not sending any juice through

 

well.. was the stupidest issue ever..
Checked all the connections.. they looked good, not much corrosion on the battery terminals or anything. So i took the battery terminals apart, just to clean the little bit of corrosion there was. Went to tighten the negative terminal, and the dam thing snapped in two.. looked to be melted from the inside.

*what would cause that? defective?

These terminals were brand new.. replaced before changing out the starter.. hoping that was the problem..

Well anyway, lesson is, screw oriellys and their cheap terminals (cheap red/black ones).. i bought heavy duty ones from wal-mart.. think they are duralast.. and i think they will last.

Thx for the response Sharp, I was afraid it was a computer/electronic issue.

O, I read that coating your terminals in vaseline will help with corrosion? Is that the best solution, or is there something better?
Thx

 

Hello and sorry to hear bout your problem. When we first got our Durango we were driving it home and everything went blank (gauges, odometer, headlights and no noise from starter). Called the guy back and found out that it needed a new crankshaft positioning sensor and if we left it sit for a little it would start again (20 min). Replaced it problem solved (if your gonna replace this, message me and I'll help you find it). Did you know that if you turn the key then off three times on the forth time it will throw the code up in the odometer. Then you can cross reference the code on here and come up with the problem. Hope this helps you out

 

i have a couple of (mostly) copper (pre 1980 pennies) super glued to the top of my battery, right next to (between) the battery terminals and those are corroding away nicely instead of the battery terminals themselves think sacrificial anode

 

If your battery terminals or connections are loose or coroded this causes resistance and resistance causes heat which will melt your lead terminals. Seen it lots of times on boats as well as vehicels of all types