Chrysler Repair: 95 Cirrus does not start, chrysler cirrus, solenoid switch

Question
Hi Roland,

I have a '95 Chrysler Cirrus 2.5 V6 with 150k. This morning I used it with no problem. I parked outside in the heavy rain. Two hours later I tried to start the car, but the starter motor did not work. I could hear a short click after each try as I turned the key. The battery had 12.58 V charge. It was raining in the morning and the whole day. Six hours later I tried again but still no success. Previously I experienced similar things, but after 3-5 tries, the starter motor began to work.
I will check the error codes tomorrow as I read on this page.
Is there anything else i could try?
Thanks in advance,
Csanad


Answer
Hello Csanad,
The starter motor issue should not provoke a fault code but there is no harm in seeing if you have any codes stored.
The voltage of the battery is relevant, but not a sufficient measure of the ability of the battery to supply the current to operate the motor.
The fact that you get click at least shows that the ignition switch is good. Now the next thing to check is whether you are getting a click both at the starter relay (which is under the hood in the oblong box on the driver's side called the power distribution center) and a louder click from the solenoid switch that is located on the starter motor proper. They will click simulaneously, so open the power distribution center and notice that it is a quiet click and then you will know if the solenoid is also clicking. If both are clicking that is also a good sign. You may have to get a friend to operate the ignition key so you can listen from under the hood.
I'll assume both click (otherwise let me know). Then we know that everything is o.k. on the control low current side of the starter function. The high current necessary to turn the motor is the next issue. I would handle that this way:
At the battery, disconnect both the -post clamp and the +post clamp (in that order) and polish up the battery posts and the inside surfaces of the clamps. They sell a battery brush with wire bristles for this task or you can use emery cloth to do it. Another item worth buying at an auto parts store is a tube battery terminal compound to apply to the posts and the clamps to prevent corrosion and poor conductivity in the future.
Now BEFORE you hook up the battery follow the large red wire from the +clamp and it will lead you to the starter motor. Again, don't play with this red wire unless it is still disconnected from the battery! If you can reach the nut that holds the end of the wire to the motor I would suggest that you loosen that nut and remove the wire from the post there. Clean and polish and coat the connection surfaces and then reattach and tighten down with the nut.
Now you are ready to give it another try, knowing that the conductive paths necessary to supply large currents of electricity to the motor are all open. Attach the battery clamp for the +post first, and finally attach the -post clamp. Then see if it will start. If not, then either the battery is too weak or the starter motor is in need of rebuilding. If your battery is nearing the end of its warranty that is a pretty good reason to suspect that is the problem. Try a jump start again just to make sure of that (it should start with a good battery at this point if the motor is good). If a jump doesn't work, then the motor or the solenoid switch alone is bad but in either case you have to remove the motor to get it fixed.
Roland