2nd Gen Durango 2004 - 2009

Battery OK but clicking only, jumpstarts fine?

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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 03:21 PM
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Default Battery OK but clicking only, jumpstarts fine?

Hello folks,
First time posting (anywhere). Had disconnected battery to clean terminals. Now won't start. AAA says the battery is OK but can only start the car with a jumpstart - otherwise just get clicking sound and flashing single red light. Any ideas? Thanks very much.

2004 Durango
4.7 V8
 
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 09:45 PM
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MJY:
sounds like you have a bad connection between your battery and its terminals. Hooking the jumper cables to the terminals bypasses the bad connection allowing the car to start.
Since you have an 04, how new is the battery and has it been loaded tested recently?

I would bet that a good cleaning of the terminals/connectors with a wire brush and then making sure they are tight is all you need IF the battery is up to spec.

Don
 
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 11:28 AM
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Thanks Don,
That sounds very logical and I will try cleaning the terminals once again to be sure. AAA tested the battery when I was not there so I don't know if that included a load test. I will try another cleaning and tightening when I get home this evening.
Thanks once again for replying.
Mike

Unfortunately a good cleaning, brushing and re-tightening still gave me the clicking and flashing safety light on the dash panel. Also tried putting a jumper cable from the battery negative to the engine block to eliminate the ground cable as the problem. Would appreciate any other thoughts or suggestions. Thanks very much.
 

Last edited by 1969CoronetR/T; Jun 26, 2013 at 09:55 AM.
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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 10:47 PM
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MJY:
Time to get that battery fully charged and then load tested.
If it will start with jumper cables, then the wiring from the battery should be in good shape.
My bet is that the battery is on its last legs. If it is 5 years old or more, I would replace it as a PM just to rule it out.

Don
 
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Old Jun 28, 2013 | 01:14 PM
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Thanks Don,
I will do that next.
I appreciate your advice.
Thanks again,
Mike
 
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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 01:18 PM
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I agree with Don.
 
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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 04:00 PM
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Thank you Don and NDTGUY. It was in fact a near dead battery. Unfortunately I was misled by the AAA guy saying it was good. I truly appreciate your advice and that you took the time to help someone else. I will now make a point to help in a forum where I have something to offer (computers).
 
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Old Jul 6, 2013 | 12:19 PM
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Glad you got everything taken care of.
 
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