I have a 2000 dodge intrepid (2.7 liter/base model) that won't start. It just clicks once when the ignition is engaged. It does not try to crank over at all. The head lights, radio, air, pwr windows etc all work fine. I have had no problems at all with the starter or engine up until now.</P>


The battery posts/cables were cleaned but that did not help. I tried to jump it but it would not start. I charged the battery for a few hours but the charger showed that it really did not need to be charged.</P>


I removed the starter and had it tested at one parts store. It appeared to be dead. I took it to another store (for a 2nd opinion) and it worked fine. They tested a re-manufactured one that I was going to buy and it performed the same as my old one.</P>


I plan to reinstall the old starter and see if it works now. Any ideas on what else could be wrond if the starter does not work once installed?</P>


Some side notes: I remember shutting the car off a few times recently without putting it into park first. When the car quitit was on a slight downward grade (5 to 10 degrees maybe) where it would roll backwards if in neutral. It has been below freezing for a few days before this happened.</P>


Thanks,</P>


goin_nil</P>

 

If it's not the starter or the battery, then it is either the ignition switch or the wiring. The click sounds like it is not getting enough power to turn the starter over or the starter is shot.

 

Since my old starter seemed to work OK when tested the second time, I decided to put it back in and so far the car starts fine. A friend seems to think that maybe moisture got in the cellonoid and prevented it from making contact. It was out of the car for a few days before being tested so maybe it warmed up and dried out. So maybe it will last a few more months...may years. If it happens again I guess I know how to change it now.</P>


I had heard that you can sometimes tap the cellonoid to get it to cause it to move to a position where it will start.</P>


One tip for anyone trying to replace the starter: Cut about a quarter inch off the bolt on the cellonoid that the positive battery wire connects to. Otherwise it is almost impossible to put the starter back on. I struggled with it for a few hours before I tried this. It went back on in just a few minutes with the shorter bolt. The manufacture left no slack in the positive wire at all so it is extreemly hard to remove and reinstall.</P>

 

If it happens again, save yourself a lot of money and problems and just replace the solenoid if it's easier. The taping or hitting of the solenoid will only work for so long before it goes out completely, been there done that. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0">

 

Hello, I am new to this forum. I am an auto service tech. It sounds to me that the contact disc in your starter is no good. It is like if you turned the ignotion key while hitting the starter(with a hammer or something) sometimes it would start. I would just replace the starter seeing as you have it out anyway. good luck.