Starting System: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Pickup and 2005 Dodge Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The battery, starting, and charging systems operate in conjunction with one another, and must be tested as a complete system. For correct starting/charging system operation, all of the components involved in these 3 systems must perform within specifications.

Starting System Diagnosis
CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSE	CORRECTION
STARTER FAILS TO OPERATE.	1. Battery discharged or faulty.	1. Refer to BATTERY SYSTEM . Charge or replace battery, if required.
	2. Starting circuit wiring faulty.	2. Refer to appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article. Test and repair starter feed and/or control circuits, if required.
	3. Starter relay faulty.	3. Refer to STARTER RELAY in Diagnosis and Testing. Replace starter relay if required.
	4. Ignition switch faulty.	4. Refer to IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY LOCK CYLINDER . Replace ignition switch if required.
	5. Clutch pedal position switch faulty.	5. Refer to CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION SWITCH .
	6. Park/Neutral position switch faulty or misadjusted.	6. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch (Transmission Range Sensor) in appropriate transmission SERVICE INFORMATION article. Replace park/neutral position switch if required.
	7. Starter solenoid faulty.	7. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Replace starter motor assembly if required.
	8. Starter motor faulty.	8. If all other starting system components and circuits test OK, replace starter motor. Refer to STARTER MOTOR .
STARTER ENGAGES, FAILS TO TURN ENGINE.	1. Battery discharged or faulty.	1. Refer to BATTERY SYSTEM . Charge or replace battery if required.
	2. Starting circuit wiring faulty.	2. Refer to appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article. Test and repair starter feed and/or control circuits if required.
	3. Starter motor faulty.	3. If all other starting system components and circuits test OK, replace starter motor assembly. Refer to STARTER MOTOR .
	4. Engine seized.	4. Refer to appropriate Engine SERVICE INFORMATION article.
STARTER ENGAGES, SPINS OUT BEFORE ENGINE STARTS.	1. Starter ring gear faulty.	1. Refer to Removal and Installation in STARTER MOTOR . Remove starter motor to inspect starter ring gear. Replace starter ring gear if required.
STARTER ENGAGES, SPINS OUT BEFORE ENGINE STARTS.	2. Starter motor faulty.	2. If all other starting system components and circuits test OK, replace starter motor assembly. Refer to STARTER MOTOR .
STARTER DOES NOT DISENGAGE.	1. Starter motor improperly installed.	1. Refer to Removal and Installation in STARTER MOTOR . Tighten starter mounting hardware to correct torque specifications.
	2. Starter relay faulty.	2. Refer to STARTER RELAY in Diagnosis and Testing. Replace starter relay if required.
	3. Ignition switch faulty.	3. Refer to IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY LOCK CYLINDER . Replace ignition switch if required.
	4. Starter motor faulty.	4. If all other starting system components and circuits test OK, replace starter motor. Refer to STARTER MOTOR .