Starting System: Diagnosis Chrysler Crossfire I

INSPECTION

For complete wiring diagrams, refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . Before removing any unit from the starting system for repair or diagnosis, perform the following inspections

1. Visually inspect the battery for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded cable connections. Determine the state-of-charge and cranking capacity of the battery. Charge or replace the battery, if required. «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - DESCRIPTION)»(ref-250654-S25801541202007031500000) for complete service information for the battery.
2. Visually inspect the ignition switch for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections. «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/IGNITION CONTROL/IGNITION COIL - DESCRIPTION)»(ref-250651-S40053126672007031500000) .
3. Visually inspect the starter motor for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
4. Visually inspect the starter solenoid for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
5. Visually inspect the wire harnesses for damage. Repair or replace any faulty wiring, as required. «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION - DESCRIPTION)»(ref-250656-S35530258612007031500000) for complete service information and circuit diagrams for the starting system wiring components.

COLD CRANKING TEST

For complete wiring diagrams, refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . The battery must be fully-charged and load-tested before proceeding. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for the procedures.

Scheme 2

1. Connect a suitable volt-ampere tester (3) to the battery terminals (1,2). See the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the volt-ampere tester being used.
2. Fully engage the parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission gearshift selector lever in the Park position or place the manual transmission gearshift selector in the Neutral position.
4. Verify that all lamps and accessories are turned off.
5. Prevent the engine from starting.
6. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Note the cranking voltage and current (amperage) draw readings shown on the volt-ampere tester. If the voltage reads below 9.6 volts, «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)»(ref-250629-S07066387562007031500000) . If the starter motor is OK, «(Refer to ENGINE - ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)»(ref-250643-S42811319102007031500000) for Electrical Diagnostics, «(Refer to 3.2L - SERVICE INFORMATION - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)»(ref-250615-S18821475682007031500000) for 3.2L - Service Information and «(Refer to 3.2L SRT - SERVICE INFORMATION - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)»(ref-250616-S40923398792007031500000) for 3.2L SRT - Service Information for further testing of the engine. If the starter motor is not OK, replace the faulty starter motor. If the voltage reads above 9.6 volts and the current (amperage) draw reads below specifications, refer to «FEED CIRCUIT TEST»(ref-250629-S05707039622007031500000) . If the voltage reads 12.5 volts or greater and the starter motor does not turn, refer to «CONTROL CIRCUIT TESTING»(ref-250629-S42732072482007031500000) . If the voltage reads 12.5 volts or greater and the starter motor turns very slowly, refer to «FEED CIRCUIT TEST»(ref-250629-S05707039622007031500000) .

Note. A cold engine will increase the starter current (amperage) draw reading, and reduce the battery voltage reading.

FEED CIRCUIT TEST

The starter feed circuit test (voltage drop method) will determine if there is excessive resistance in the high-amperage feed circuit. For complete wiring diagrams, refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS .

When performing these tests, it is important to remember that the voltage drop is giving an indication of the resistance between the two points at which the voltmeter probes are attached.

Example: When testing the resistance of the battery positive cable, touch the voltmeter leads to the battery positive cable clamp and the cable connector at the starter solenoid. If you probe the battery positive terminal post and the cable connector at the starter solenoid, you are reading the combined voltage drop in the battery positive cable clamp-to-terminal post connection and the battery positive cable.

The following operation will require a voltmeter accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt. Before performing the tests, be certain that the following procedures are accomplished

1. Battery is fully-charged and load-tested. «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)»(ref-250654-S17806217142007031500000) .
2. Fully engage the parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission gearshift selector lever in the Park position or place the manual transmission gearshift selector in the Neutral position.
4. Verify that all lamps and accessories are turned off.
5. Prevent the engine from starting.

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

1. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter (1) to the battery (2) negative terminal post. Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter (1) to the battery (2) negative cable clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct the poor contact between the cable clamp and the terminal post.
2. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter (1) to the battery (2) positive terminal post. Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter (1) to the battery (2) positive cable clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct the poor contact between the cable clamp and the terminal post.
3. Connect the voltmeter (2) to measure between the battery (1) positive terminal post and the starter (3) solenoid battery terminal stud. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery cable connection at the solenoid. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace the faulty battery positive cable.
4. Connect the voltmeter (1) to measure between the battery (2) negative terminal post and a good clean ground on the engine block (3). Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery negative cable attachment on the engine block. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace the faulty battery negative cable.
5. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter (3) to the starter (1) housing. Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the battery (2) negative terminal post. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, correct the poor starter to engine block ground contact.

If the resistance tests detect no feed circuit problems, (Refer to ELECTRICAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) .

CONTROL CIRCUIT TESTING

The starter control circuit components should be tested in the order in which they are listed, as follows

1. Starter Solenoid - «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)»(ref-250629-S07066387562007031500000) .
2. Ignition Switch - Refer to Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder in «COLUMN»(ref-250617-S33568366392007031600000) .
3. Wire harnesses and connections - Refer to «SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-172302) for complete circuit diagrams.

Scheme 8