Re: 2011 Durango Crew 3.6 - Does this vehicle have a starter kill relay tied into the security system? If so where is it located?

 

Security system does not rely on relays for anything. All goes through the PCM/BCM.

 

Do you have key or pushbutton start? What additional symptoms do you have besides the starter not spinning? Do the dash lights come on in the Run mode? Do you hear any relays clicking when trying to Start?

-Rod

 

Rod, thanks for your response and questions. It is a pushbutton start, and the vehicle appears to recognize both fobs. Upon entry, the display indicated the usual "press brake pedal and push button to start." Push the button, hear a distinct click but no starter engage. Display indicated "Run" and all the usual lights are lit up. After 10 seconds, hear another audible click and another start attempt can be made. The start button was deactivated for those 10 seconds. That is why I was suspecting some sort of relay. UPDATE: This vehicle finally started after 25 or so attempts throughout the day today. Shut it off and it restarted. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Meanwhile, if you have heard of this situation before, I would appreciate any feedback.

 

The symptoms of a single click and no starter function, with a random start from time to time sounds like a classic failed starter. The brushes and contacts wear and eventually get to where they no longer make good enough contact to spin the starter motor. You may have heard of people in the past tapping on their starters with a broom handle or mallet to get their starters to start the engine. If so, this is why. Jarring the starter can cause enough movement for good enough contact to be made and the starter to again work. Even temperature and humidity changes can sometimes be enough to get a starter to work temporarily. But be warned such success would just be temporary.

I've never looked for the starter motor location on a 3.6L Durango so I'm not sure how easy it is to measure for voltage to the starter motor. But the next time the starter won't engage, checking for battery voltage and trigger to the starter motor solenoid would further help confirm the starter is the culprit.

-Rod

 

Thanks for your response. That is helpful. Someone had posted a video about bypassing the "starter kill relay" but I could not verify what model/year vehicle he was working on since most of the activity was under the driver's side dash. Also, it may have been regarding an after-market security system.

 

If a starter kill relay were the issue you likely would not get the distinct click sound. That distinct click is likely the starter relay clicking.