Starter: Diagnosis Chrysler Concorde I

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Note. See TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING Section.

ON-VEHICLE TESTING

CRANKING TEST

1. Using a suitable volt-ammeter-load tester, connect positive and negative leads to battery, and inductive ammeter pick-up to positive battery cable. On 2.2L, 2.5L and 3.0L, disconnect ignition coil secondary wire from distributor cap and connect exposed coil wire terminal end to ground. On 3.3L and 3.5L models, disconnect coil pack electrical connector at coil pack. (Scheme 2)
2. On all models, ensure all lights and accessories are off. Place A/T in Park position or M/T in Neutral position. Apply parking brake. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage reads more than 9.6 volts and ammeter reads more than 250 amps, proceed to CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TESTS. If voltage reads 12.4 volts or more and amperage reads 0-10 amps, proceed to SOLENOID TEST. CAUTION: During cranking, DO NOT draw battery voltage down to less than 9.6 volts. Use care not to overheat starter.
3. If starter cranks engine freely, but problem with starter is still suspected, engage starter several times while observing volt-ammeter readings. A starter that has a problem should fail when performing this procedure.
4. Recharge battery as required, after starter tests have been completed. Disconnect all test equipment. After starter problems have been corrected, connect secondary coil wire to distributor cap, or reconnect coil pack connector on 3.3L and 3.5L. (Scheme 2) Start vehicle several times to ensure problem has been corrected.

Scheme 2

Battery Connection Resistance Test

1. On all models except 3.3L and 3.5L, disconnect ignition coil secondary wire from distributor cap and connect exposed coil wire terminal end to ground. On 2.2L, 2.5L and 3.0L models, disconnect coil pack electrical connector at coil pack. (Scheme 2)
2. On all models, connect voltmeter positive lead to negative battery cable clamp. Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage is detected, repair poor contact between cable clamp and post. Perform same procedure to positive battery post and cable clamp.

Ground Connection Resistance Test

Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post. Connect voltmeter positive lead to engine block near negative battery cable grounding point. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltmeter reading indicates more than .2 volt, repair poor ground connection or replace ground cable.

Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post. Connect voltmeter positive lead to starter housing. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltmeter reading indicates more than .2 volt, repair poor starter-to-ground connection.

Positive Battery Cable Resistance Test

1. Remove starter heat shield (if equipped) to gain access to starter solenoid connections. Connect voltmeter negative lead to starter solenoid battery terminal and voltmeter positive lead to positive battery post.
2. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage reads more than .2 volt, correct poor connection between battery cable and starter solenoid or replace positive battery cable.

SOLENOID TEST

Note. Perform solenoid test before testing starter relay circuit and starter relay. Ensure A/T is in Park position or M/T is in Neutral position and parking brake is applied.

1. On 3.3L and 3.5L, disconnect ignition coil secondary wire from distributor cap and connect exposed coil wire terminal end to ground. On 2.2L, 2.5L and 3.0L models, disconnect coil pack electrical connector at coil pack. (Scheme 2)
2. On all models, ensure battery is fully charged. Ensure solenoid connections are not loose or corroded. Locate and remove starter relay from connector. (Scheme 3)or (Scheme 4). On Concorde, Intrepid, LeBaron Conv., LHS, New Yorker and Vision, starter relay is located within power distribution center. On Acclaim, LeBaron Sedan, Shadow, Spirit and Sundance, starter relay is located on front of left strut tower.
3. On all models, connect a remote starter switch or jumper wire between starter relay connector terminal No. 87 and positive battery post. see scheme 1 If engine cranks, solenoid is good. Proceed to STARTER RELAY CIRCUIT TEST.
4. If engine fails to crank, or if solenoid chatters, check wiring and connectors from starter relay connector to starter solenoid terminal for loose or corroded connections. Clean and retest. If engine still fails to crank, remove starter and proceed to BENCH TESTING.

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Note. Perform solenoid test before testing starter relay circuit.

1. Locate and remove starter relay from connector. (Scheme 3)or (Scheme 4). On Concorde, Intrepid, LeBaron Conv., LHS, New Yorker and Vision, starter relay is located within power distribution center. On Acclaim, LeBaron Sedan, Shadow, Spirit and Sundance, starter relay is located on front of left strut tower. On all models, turn ignition on. Using voltmeter, check for battery voltage at starter relay connector terminal No. 30. see scheme 1 If voltage is not present, repair open in wiring from starter relay connector to battery.
2. If voltage is present at starter relay connector terminal No. 30, ensure battery voltage is also present at terminal No. 86 of starter relay connector with ignition switch in START position and clutch pedal depressed (if equipped with M/T). If voltage is present, circuit is okay. Go to step 5) if equipped with M/T or step 6) if equipped with A/T.
3. If voltage is not present at starter relay connector terminal No. 86 and vehicle is equipped with A/T, repair open in wiring from ignition switch to starter relay connector. see scheme 1 If vehicle is equipped with M/T, unplug wiring connector from clutch interlock switch mounted on clutch pedal bracket.
4. Connect jumper wire between interlock switch connector terminals. Recheck for voltage at starter relay connector terminal No. 86 with ignition switch in START position. see scheme 1 If voltage is present at terminal No. 86 of starter relay, replace clutch interlock switch on clutch pedal bracket. If voltage is not present at terminal No. 86 of starter relay, repair wiring between ignition switch and starter relay connector. see scheme 1
5. If vehicle is equipped with M/T, connect voltmeter negative lead to starter relay connector terminal No. 85 and positive lead to terminal No. 86. Turn ignition switch to START position and depress clutch pedal. If voltmeter reads battery voltage, starter relay connector ground circuit is good. Replace faulty starter relay. If voltmeter reading is not battery voltage, repair ground wire circuit.
6. If vehicle is equipped with A/T, connect voltmeter negative lead to starter relay connector terminal No. 85 and positive lead to terminal No. 86. Ensure transmission gear selector is in Park or Neutral position. Ground circuit runs through neutral safety switch on transmission. Turn ignition switch to START position. If voltmeter reads battery voltage, starter relay connector ground circuit is good. Replace faulty starter relay.
7. If voltmeter reading is not battery voltage, check transmission neutral safety switch for loose or damaged connections. Repair or replace neutral safety switch as required. If neutral safety switch is okay, repair ground wire circuit.

Note. Perform solenoid test before testing starter relay.

Locate and remove starter relay from connector. (Scheme 3)or (Scheme 4). On Concorde, Intrepid, LeBaron Conv., LHS, New Yorker and Vision, starter relay is located within power distribution center. On Acclaim, LeBaron Sedan, Shadow, Spirit and Sundance, starter relay is located on front of left strut tower. On all models, connect 12-volt power source to starter relay terminal No. 86 and ground terminal No. 85. (Scheme 5) Using ohmmeter, check continuity across starter relay terminals No. 30 and 87. If continuity is not present, replace starter relay.

Scheme 5

IGNITION SWITCH TEST

1. If both starter solenoid and starter relay check out okay, problem exists with ignition switch or wiring from ignition switch to starter relay. Remove steering column covers to locate ignition switch Black 7-pin connector. Check for loose or corroded connections and repair as necessary.
2. Using test light, backprobe Red wire of ignition switch connector to ensure battery voltage to switch. If test light does not illuminate, check Red wiring circuit for opens and/or shorts.
3. Using test light, backprobe Yellow wire of ignition switch connector for starter relay circuit check. Turn ignition switch to START position. If test light does not illuminate, replace ignition switch.

1. With starter removed from vehicle, remove starter motor field coil wire from solenoid field coil terminal. Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity between solenoid terminal and field coil terminal of starter solenoid. Continuity should be present.
2. Check for continuity between solenoid terminal and solenoid housing. Continuity should be present. If continuity is not present in either test, replace solenoid. On Nippondenso-equipped vehicles, replace starter and solenoid as an assembly.