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Starting System: Diagnosis Dodge Charger V

Starter 3 illustrations ~1227 words

INSPECTION

Before removing any unit from the starting system for repair or diagnosis, perform the following inspections

  1. Battery - 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 the «BATTERY SYSTEM»(ref-255942) for more information.
  2. Ignition Switch - Visually inspect the ignition switch for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
  3. Transmission Range Sensor or Park/Neutral Switch - Visually inspect the transmission range sensor for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
  4. Starter Relay - Visually inspect the starter relay for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
  5. Starter Motor - Visually inspect the starter motor for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
  6. Starter Solenoid - Visually inspect the starter solenoid for indications of physical damage and loose or corroded wire harness connections.
  7. Wiring - Visually inspect the wire harness for damage. Repair or replace any faulty wiring, as required. Check for loose or corroded wire harness connections at main engine ground and remote jump post.
  8. Power Distribution Center (PDC) - Visually inspect the B+ connections at the PDC for physical damage and loose or corroded harness connections.
CONDITIONPOSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE.1. BATTERY DISCHARGED OR FAULTY.1. REFER TO BATTERY SYSTEM FOR MORE INFORMATION. CHARGE OR REPLACE BATTERY, IF REQUIRED.
2. STARTING CIRCUIT WIRING FAULTY.2. REFER TO DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST AND DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CONTROL CIRCUIT TEST .
3. STARTER RELAY FAULTY.3. REFER TO RELAY TEST . REPLACE RELAY, IF NECESSARY.
4. IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY.4. REFER TO IGNITION SWITCH IN IGNITION SYSTEM - ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS OR APPROPRIATE SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS ARTICLE. REPLACE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY.
5. PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH (AUTO TRANS) FAULTY OR MIS-ADJUSTED.5. REFER TO PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH TEST, FOR MORE INFORMATION. REPLACE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY.
6. CLUTCH INTERLOCK SWITCH (MAN TRANS) FAULTY.6. REFER TO CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION SWITCH TEST. REPLACE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY.
7. STARTER SOLENOID FAULTY.7. REFER TO STARTER SOLENOID . REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY.
8. STARTER ASSEMBLY FAULTY.8. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
9. FAULTY TEETH ON RING GEAR.9. ROTATE FLYWHEEL 360°, AND INSPECT TEETH AND RING GEAR REPLACED IF DAMAGED.
10. PCM DOUBLE START OVERRIDE OUTPUT FAILURE.10. REFER TO PCM DIAGNOSTIC. CHECK FOR CONTINUITY BETWEEN PCM AND TERMINAL 85. REPAIR OPEN CIRCUIT AS REQUIRED. IF OK, PCM MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
STARTER ENGAGES, FAILS TO TURN ENGINE.1. BATTERY DISCHARGED OR FAULTY.1. REFER TO BATTERY SYSTEM FOR MORE INFORMATION. CHARGE OR REPLACE BATTERY AS NECESSARY.
2. STARTING CIRCUIT WIRING FAULTY.2. REFER TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST AND DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CONTROL CIRCUIT TEST . REPAIR AS NECESSARY.
3. STARTER ASSEMBLY FAULTY.3. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
4. ENGINE SEIZED.4. REFER TO ENGINE ARTICLE, FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND SERVICE PROCEDURES.
5. LOOSE CONNECTION AT BATTERY, PDC, STARTER, OR ENGINE GROUND.5. INSPECT FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS.
6. FAULTY TEETH ON RING GEAR.6. ROTATE FLYWHEEL 360°, AND INSPECT TEETH AND RING GEAR REPLACED IF DAMAGED.
STARTER ENGAGES, SPINS OUT BEFORE ENGINE STARTS.1. BROKEN TEETH ON STARTER RING GEAR.1. REMOVE STARTER. INSPECT RING GEAR AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY.
2. STARTER ASSEMBLY FAULTY.2. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
STARTER DOES NOT DISENGAGE.1. STARTER IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.1. INSTALL STARTER. TIGHTEN STARTER MOUNTING HARDWARE TO CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
2. STARTER RELAY FAULTY.2. REFER TO RELAY TEST . REPLACE RELAY, IF NECESSARY.
3. IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY.3. REFER TO IGNITION SWITCH IN STEERING OR APPROPRIATE SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS ARTICLE. REPLACE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY.
4. STARTER ASSEMBLY FAULTY.4. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
5. FAULTY TEETH ON RING GEAR.5. ROTATE FLYWHEEL 360°, AND INSPECT TEETH AND RING GEAR REPLACED IF DAMAGED.

STARTING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST

Before proceeding with this operation, review Diagnostic Preparation and Starter Feed Circuit Tests. The following operation will require a voltmeter, accurate to 1/10 of a volt.

CAUTIONIgnition and Fuel systems must be disabled to prevent engine start while performing the following tests.
  1. To disable the Ignition and Fuel systems, disconnect the Automatic Shutdown Relay (ASD). The ASD relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to the PDC cover for proper relay location.
  2. Gain access to battery terminals.
  3. With all wiring harnesses and components properly connected, perform the following: Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the battery negative post, and positive lead to the battery negative cable clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the START position. Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct poor contact between cable clamp and post. Connect positive lead of the voltmeter to the battery positive post, and negative lead to the battery positive cable clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch key in the START position. Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct poor contact between the cable clamp and post. Connect negative lead of voltmeter to battery negative terminal, and positive lead to engine block near the battery cable attaching point. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the START position. If voltage reads above 0.2 volt, correct poor contact at ground cable attaching point. If voltage reading is still above 0.2 volt after correcting poor contacts, replace ground cable.
  4. Connect positive voltmeter lead to the starter motor housing and the negative lead to the battery negative terminal. Hold the ignition switch key in the START position. If voltage reads above 0.2 volt, correct poor starter to engine ground. Connect the positive voltmeter lead to the battery positive terminal, and negative lead to battery cable terminal on starter solenoid. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the START position. If voltage reads above 0.2 volt, correct poor contact at battery cable to solenoid connection. If reading is still above 0.2 volt after correcting poor contacts, replace battery positive cable. If resistance tests do not detect feed circuit failures, replace the starter motor.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CONTROL CIRCUIT TEST

The starter control circuit has

  1. Starter motor with integral solenoid
  2. Starter relay
  3. Transmission range sensor, or Park/Neutral Position switch with automatic transmissions
  4. Ignition switch
  5. Battery
  6. All related wiring and connections
  7. Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
CAUTIONBefore performing any starter tests, the ignition and fuel systems must be disabled.
  1. To disable ignition and fuel systems, disconnect the Automatic Shutdown Relay (ASD). The ASD relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to the PDC cover for the proper relay location.

RELAY TEST

The starter relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) in the engine compartment. Refer to the PDC label for relay identification and location.

Remove the starter relay from the PDC as described in this article to perform the following tests

  1. A relay in the de-energized position should have continuity between terminals 87A and 30, and no continuity between terminals 87 and 30. If OK, go to step 2 . If not OK, replace the faulty relay.
  2. Resistance between terminals 85 and 86 (electromagnet) should be 75 +/-5 ohms. If OK, go to step 3 . If not OK, replace the faulty relay.
  3. Connect a battery B+ lead to terminals 85 and a ground lead to terminal 86 to energize the relay. The relay should click. Also test for continuity between terminals 30 and 87, and no continuity between terminals 87A and 30. If OK, refer to «RELAY CIRCUIT TEST»(ref-255957-S22473326902007060500000) . If not OK, replace the faulty relay.

Scheme 19

Scheme 19
Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 20
Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 21
Scheme 21
CAVFUNCTION
30B (+)
85IGNITION SWITCH OUTPUT
86PCM-CONTROLLED GROUND
87STARTER RELAY OUTPUT
87ANO CONNECT

RELAY CIRCUIT TEST

  1. The relay common feed terminal cavity (30) is connected to battery voltage and should be hot at all times. If OK, go to step 2 . If not OK, repair the open circuit to the PDC fuse as required.
  2. The relay normally closed terminal (87A) is connected to terminal 30 in the de-energized position, but is not used for this application. Go to step 3 .
  3. The relay normally open terminal (87) is connected to the common feed terminal (30) in the energized position. This terminal supplies battery voltage to the starter solenoid field coils. There should be continuity between the cavity for relay terminal 87 and the starter solenoid terminal at all times. If OK, go to step 4 . If not OK, repair the open circuit to the starter solenoid as required.
  4. The coil battery terminal (85) is connected to the electromagnet in the relay. It is energized when the ignition switch is held in the Start position and the clutch pedal is depressed (manual trans). Check for battery voltage at the cavity for relay terminal 86 with the ignition switch in the Start position and the clutch pedal is depressed (manual trans), and no voltage when the ignition switch is released to the On position. If OK, go to step 5 . If not OK, check for an open or short circuit to the ignition switch and repair, if required. If the circuit to the ignition switch is OK, see «IGNITION SYSTEM - ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS»(ref-255943) .
  5. The coil ground terminal (86) is connected to the electromagnet in the relay. It is grounded by the PCM if the conditions are right to start the car. For automatic trans. cars the PCM must see Park Neutral switch low and near zero engine speed (RPM). For manual trans. cars the PCM only needs to see near zero engine speed (RPM) and low clutch interlock input and see near zero engine speed (RPM). To diagnose the Park Neutral switch of the trans range sensor refer to the transaxle. Check for continuity to ground while the ignition switch is in the start position and if equipped the clutch pedal depressed. If not OK and the vehicle has an automatic trans. verify Park Neutral switch operation. If that checks OK check for continuity between PCM and the terminal 86. Repair open circuit as required. Also check the clutch interlock switch operation if equipped with a manual transmission. If OK, the PCM may be defective.

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