94 Concorde intermittent starting

My 1994 Concorde 3.3L with 145,000 miles still runs well and looks good but
has developed a new problem.

Occasionally, when I turn the key, it acts like a dead battery, like their
isn't enough power to turn the starter but I do hear what sounds like the
solenoid engaging. If I turn it off and try it again, it usually starts
just fine. This morning, I needed to turn it off and on 4 times before it
started. The battery is about 6 months old and I cleaned the terminals last
week. This problem started happening about 4 weeks ago and has happened
about 15 times so far, always with the same outcome.

Is this a loose cable type of problem or a failing starter motor or ???
Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

 

Ignition switch maybe? I think I recall fixing a similar problem in my 94
Intrepid 3.5L.

 

Dave assuming that the starter doesn't even turn....just a click? more then
likely the contacts are worn out in the starter

 

If the battery is good and all cable/connectors are clean and tight, the I
agree that it is very likely the starter's solenoid contacts that are badly
worn, very dirty, and in need of replacement.

I have replaced several of these and purchased the replacements from:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#OnlineOrdering

for $5 apiece (you need two and they are each different). Dan Stern
generously provided a listing of applications which I sent to the web site
owner and he actually included them up there on the site. In my case Dan
was absolutely 100% accurate for three different Chrysler vehicles.

Do check out that web site as it provides nice pictures. The Nippondenso
starter used in most Chrysler vehicles is a pretty nice unit, but this is
the one area in which it seems to be weak. My vehicles all have needed
solenoid contact replacement at between 45-70K miles. It really is not a bad
job though as long as you can get to the unit. At $11 for two ($ is
Shipping) it is a cheap job. Make sure you get the plunger ring clean using
a wire brush and some electronic contact cleaner before you reassemble the
unit.

Alternative to replacing the contacts is to replace the entire starter
assembly, but in my opinion you could get an inferior unit and pay a whole
lot more. I know the dealer only offered this option at about $400 for the
whole job when I undertook my web search the first time several years back.

Good luck

Bob

 

Bob,

You're right about the website you suggested, very easy to understand and
with good photos to explain the process. I still need to check the cables
on the starter but with 145K miles and over 10 years of use, it is likely
worn components.

When it fails, I hear the solenoid engage and sometimes it seems to start
turning the motor but can't. It's as if I move the starter motor just
enough to get to "good" spot where it can run. Sometimes it takes several
attempts. Other times it starts perfectly on the first try which also may
indicate bad contacts as it happened to stop on a place where it could make
good contact on the next start. Does that make sense?

As usual, this newsgroup comes through with great answers. It will be a few
days before I get a chance to look further but I will post the outcome here
to share what happened.

Thanks,

Dave

 

To all,

Thank you for your suggestions on my starting problem. It turned out to be
a defective starter which I was able to replace with a 3 year warranty
re-built for just over $100. Removal and replacement went pretty smoothly
and was certainly within the ability of most do-it-yourself folks.

I'm sure I could have replaced the contacts, as was recommended by another
person, but I felt $100 wasn't too bad and it limited my downtime which was
nice.

Special thanks to Tom S. who wrote with specific troubleshooting
suggestions.

Thanks,

Dave