2000 Intrepid Starter/Electrical Problem?

How old is the battery? Sounds like a possible low voltage condition ...

Bob

Still on original (8 year old) battery. I get more paranoid each year, but have had battery checked and dealer says no need to replace. Still turns over and starts without hesitation this winter, even with temperatures well below zero. Never have kept a battery anywhere near this long before, however.

Replace the battery or at minimum check the voltage. It is highly likely to be the root cause of your problem. When the voltage dips below a minimum thresh hold, then the electronics (computers) get confused and reset. I can see a scenario where a weak battery to start and that then has the load of the starter on it and does not yet have the alternator running, could drop below the thresh hold voltage.

Bob

Thanks. I'm way past due so may just try replacing battery to be safe. Even with the problems this morning, however, once I managed to get the engine to crank it appeared to turn over normally without the sluggishness I usually see with a weak battery.

As Bob says check the battery and pay close attention to the battery terminals as they will corrode and cause serious problems as well.

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

I agree about battery and corrosion, and was going to mention the corrosion as well. The positive post on the battery is the worst. If bad, clean it up with baking soda (or Coca-Cola for the really hard stuff). Assess the condition of the cleaned up terminal and cable. Replace if too much copper gone (Chyrsler does make a positive terminal "repair kit" that will put it back to factory), then coat it all with grease before and after putting it back together. That will prevent recurrence for a l-o-n-g time. That battery is hidden and so gets ignored for the most part.

But with your battery that old, I'd replace it anyway so you or some other driver doesn't get stranded at the worst possible time. And it's probably the problem.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

And when you install that new battery (hey, even the good ones only get a 7 year guaranty -- you've been lucky), coat the terminals with grease. While any would do, your local auto parts shop sells tubes of something called "battery terminal grease". Cheap insurance. Bad battery connections can produce all kinds of weird symptoms in today's computer controlled vehicles...

Bill

Any idea of the Chrysler part number or what to ask for?

Thanks Bob AZ

Yes, Bob - P/N is 5016667AA for 2.7L; 3.2/3.5L P/N is 5016668AA - price is $30-$55 depending on dealer.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Thanks

Bob AZ

You're welcome.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')