Chrysler Repair: 99 Dodge Intrepid starter location, crank shaft, starter solenoid

Question
I have an intermittant starting problem with my 1999 Dodge 2.7ltr Intrepid. Sometimes the electrical system will just click and not engage the starter, and other times it will start without any problems at all. The lights come on for the dash panel and dome light. I have replaced my battery connections and tested and replaced the battery. I wanted to remove the starter next to have it bench tested. Can you tell me where the starter is located? I have located the P/S unit, crank shaft & idler pulley, alternator, and A/C compressor unit.
Any input would be of great help.

Answer
Hi Michael,
I haven't looked at a 2.7ltr engine in person or by illustration, but you can find it by locating the seam between the rear of the engine and the transmission. The tip of the starter where the drive gear engages the flywheel or torque plate is at that external seam, so the body of the starter is on the engine side of that seam. Probably it is positioned on the underside of the engine on one side or other of the oil pan (thus at 4 or 8 o'clock in the circle of the rear housing/transmission interface).
By the way, when you say it just clicks, be aware that there are 2 separate electrical components, both of which click, in order for the electric power to be applied to the motor. There is a relay in the power distribution center which makes a quiet click, and then there is the louder click of the starter solenoid mounted on the starter motor proper. They click simultaneously, the first is soft and the second louder. It is possible for the relay to click but its electical connection points might be corroded and thus not sending current to the solenoid reliably; so if that were the case you would only hear a soft click. Then it would be reasonable to replace the relay, but first verify that the brown wire from the relay to the starter solenoid is connected at the solenoid cleanly and tightly. If you always hear the loud click however, then you know the solenoid is getting the current from the relay and it is not applying the high current to the starter motor windings or the windings or brushes in the motor are bad, or the wire that brings the high current directly from the battery to the solenoid is loose at the solenoid. So when you find the starter make sure that the thick battery wire connection to the solenoid is clean and tight, and if it nonetheless clicks then there is indeed a problem internally with the solenoid switch or the motor proper. Whenever you touch the wiring connections at the starter motor be sure to disconnect the battery because you are dealing with the battery when you touch the connection for the big wire at the motor and if the end of your tool touches the engine or the frame of the car it will short circuit the battery and produce a very large arc, heat and a burn of your hand. So don't mess with the starter motor without first disconnecting the battery.
Feel free to write back with any questions.
Roland