Starting system? Electrical? I don't know!!!

[FemaleRacer]

My 98 Dodge Neon will randomly not start. Warm, cold, anythime of day doesn't make a difference. When it doesn't start, it wont even click over. I get radio, lights, etc but it wont "click" to start. So far I've put in a new battery. An upgrade in power, but not a dry battery. The new battery is staying fully charged and the alternator has been checking out fine. I've had my LED's, alarm system, amps etc checked and they should be fine with this battery. I replaced the starter, ignition switch and ignition "tumbler". No engine codes except 12. BUT here's the odd part...if someone jumps my car-it starts immediately, first try, without letting it run hooked up. I took the battery back and had it cleaned to make sure nothing was interrupting the connection. WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS?!? Could it be electrical? (if so-where can i get a scematic?) Is there a part in the starting system that I haven't replaced?!? lol! Any advice here would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

[DetroitMuscle]

Originally Posted by FemaleRacer

My 98 Dodge Neon will randomly not start. Warm, cold, anythime of day doesn't make a difference. When it doesn't start, it wont even click over. I get radio, lights, etc but it wont "click" to start. So far I've put in a new battery. An upgrade in power, but not a dry battery. The new battery is staying fully charged and the alternator has been checking out fine. I've had my LED's, alarm system, amps etc checked and they should be fine with this battery. I replaced the starter, ignition switch and ignition "tumbler". No engine codes except 12. BUT here's the odd part...if someone jumps my car-it starts immediately, first try, without letting it run hooked up. I took the battery back and had it cleaned to make sure nothing was interrupting the connection. WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS?!? Could it be electrical? (if so-where can i get a scematic?) Is there a part in the starting system that I haven't replaced?!? lol! Any advice here would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

By them jumping, does it bypass any fuseable links at the battery? check your actual cables and cable ends yet? Its odd, exchange the battery if you can, one of your terminals internally could be junk.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by FemaleRacer

WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS?!?

Bad connections and/or corroded wires could cause this. Make sure your battery terminals are clean and real tight. The neon is sensitive to this issue. Also check the wires to see if they have corroded any.

[FemaleRacer]

Ok, replaced the battery this AM with a "dry" battery. Cleaned the cables, etc. When i went to leave the car wouldn't start again. They checked the voltage coming from the ignition to the starter and said that it was 12V. I then took it to the starter place and they the starter is fine and tested it by bypassing the ignition. (Of course at that time it would start with the key too) Is it possible that it's the wiring from the ignition to the starter? Or do you think that the re-built starter didn't have a new selinoid (how ever you spell it)? Thank you so much for your help you guys!!!

[das2123]

Does it still start with a jump? Did you check for corroded wires underneath the battery tray and behind the PDC?

[skatendestroy]

i had this same problem

try taking off your starter and the solinoid connector from the starter motor to the soliniod was corrodid heavily try takiing a look at that its a nut on the back of the starter that has a open copper wire leading from soliniod to starter and clean it of an corosion with like a wire brush and a light coating of baking soda and water mixed it should neutrlize the corrosion.

[FemaleRacer]

Ok, checked the battery wires, behind, and underneath-all is clean. The solinoid connector is clean too. However i have encountered one change. When it wont start now (which is still randomly) a jump start wont always fix it. But if I just let it sit-say 1-2 hours-it will sometimes start right up with no prompting. I drove to Hooters on a cold engine, drove back home a few hours later, the car started fine both times. A 1/2 hour after being home I went to drive it to the store-it wouldn't even turn over. 4 hours later (at night in 20 degree weather) it started up first time. It's just so wierd! Do you think that it could be the solinoid itself? There isn't a lot of wiring in a Neon's ignition to starter system. Plus-I didn't move the car between coming home from Hooters and it starting later that night. So i can't imagine that a wire is moving. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK??? I really appreciate the help!! I'm just so stumped.

[das2123]

I gotta believe that you have a bad connection somewhere from the intermittent starts you are experiencing.