I'm a mechanical moron when it comes to cars and locating the problem. The car was running fine 2 nights ago. The battery seems fine, all the lights go on with full power. No problems there. When I turn the key however to start the ignition, the lights all dim down and it makes a BEEEEEEEEEP noise. I can't understand why it would be the battery though. It's not as if its a clicking noise, and when I return the key from the ignition position the lights are full and bright still. I don't know what the hell is going on.
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04:08 PM
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Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
I'd have the solenoid checked. And the wires from the ignition switch to the starter. Then the ignition switch itself. Not in that order per se, but I would be checking those.
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04:15 PM
Finally_Mine_86_GT Member
Posts: 4809 From: Hyde Park, New York Registered: Sep 2006
got another car to try a jump to see if she starts? my guess is you may have a dead cell in the battery. if the starter tried to engage and the battery dims like hell... that's what i would try first
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04:19 PM
Finally_Mine_86_GT Member
Posts: 4809 From: Hyde Park, New York Registered: Sep 2006
now a dead cell will let the car/truck start and run but if you leave it running for 5 minutes and it wont restart... definately a dead cell in the batt.
if your in ny right now... don't bother... wait til tomorrow... lol... too cold.
[This message has been edited by Finally_Mine_86_GT (edited 01-26-2007).]
I had the same with my 89 Dodge Ram..it was the starter motor..it eventually burnt the battery because of all the power the starter was trying to draw..well, it SOUNDS like it, anyway.. Nick
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06:36 PM
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tutnkmn Member
Posts: 3426 From: York, England, U.K. Living in Ohio Registered: May 2006
I agree with Nick. My Dad loved Dodge and we went through something similar several times over the years. Ended up being the starter each time.
The only Mopar we could never figure out was the Plymouth Valiant he had, would never start if it were raining. Went through everything on that car, points, new distributor, everything! Well, it's long turned to rust (or turned into a Toyota) by now, good riddance!
I'd have the solenoid checked. And the wires from the ignition switch to the starter. Then the ignition switch itself. Not in that order per se, but I would be checking those.
Too Much Trouble, It's most likely the battery. The lights need about 15 Amps to light, the starter needs over 100. It could also be a starter shorting to ground. If your truck has the solenoid on the fender touch the small stud with a wire comming from the battery +. If you dont get any noise, and the battery is good then the starter is probibly open.
Too Much Trouble, It's most likely the battery. The lights need about 15 Amps to light, the starter needs over 100. It could also be a starter shorting to ground. If your truck has the solenoid on the fender touch the small stud with a wire comming from the battery +. If you dont get any noise, and the battery is good then the starter is probibly open.
Yeah like Fierofetish said the battery, starter and generator all work together, when one goes bad it affects them all. A new battery may give a bad starter some new life but you are still harming the new battery and generator. Just some food for thought.
