Good Morning, I have a 2007 Caliber with the 2.0 in it. I think I have a starter gone bad but want to check with someone else first.

Last night we went tried to start it and it appears to have plenty of battery power but when you go to start it it does nothing. Like not even a click of any sort. Are there relays, fuses, main fuses, anything that would make this happen. I was going to tear into and try the starter but that is a pretty big job and the starters on these things aren't cheap. So I thought I would throw this out there first.

Thanks.

 

There are quite a few things besides the starter that will prevent the starter from cranking. There is no direct link anymore between turning the key and the starter engaging, plus there are signals that have to be exchanged between modules before it will happen. It could be simple or really complicated. Verify your battery voltage is high enough to crank it. It CAN appear to have enough battery power, but still exhibit what you're describing.

One easy test you can do with a test light is find the solenoid wire and see if it is being energized. If not, then your issue is not the starter. The wire is Yellow with a Grey tracer.

 

Thanks you for the tips. I will give them a try.

 

With my cheapo voltage meter the batter reads 12.5. Has anyone else had any issues like this and has anyone had the starter go bad on this vehicle?

 

Is there any kind of neutral safety switch on these things?

 

If an auto trans, it is usually incorporated in the the gear selector switch on the linkage.
Try putting it in neutral and wiggle the shifter around while cranking to see if it does anything.

 

Thanks for the information. Do these things crank in anything but Park?

 

It cranks in Neutral and Park only.

There were some problem with Starter Terminal corroded off. on the early 2.4 engine. Try wiggle the Starter terminal and see if it starts.

These starters are pretty easy to access. Just remove the air box and snorkel to the Throttle body, you'll have enough rooms to reach in with your hand.

 

Thanks again for all of the great replies. I am at a new challenge in this little project. I have tested the starter and the battery and they are both good. So I have now replaced the neutral safety switch. In the process of putting it all back together--the electrical plug that goes into the throttle body would not seat to a point of reaching the clips. SO, in an effort to coerce it to seat, I have busted one of the clips.

Has anyone ever ran into a situation where one of these electrical clips would not seat properly? This is a first for me. Also--what would be the "technical" term for this plug. I have our local dodge dealer stumped on how to even go about looking this up.

Thanks Very Much Everyone.

 

you mean the connector? just ask them for a Throttle body pig tail connector. Your dealer sells it. Tho, very seldom in stock. Might want to call them to order with your credit card instead of walking in.

Also, just make sure the throttle body side male pins are not bent.

back to your problem, so it cranks in Neutral but not park?