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94 Shadow will not start

I got a 94 Dodge Shadow, 2.2 liter that was running fine up till Friday. My mother parked the car, went in the store and when she came out it would not start. Here are the symptoms:

When you turn the key, the dash lights up and then turns off as it should when you turn the key, but no click of the soloniod or noise from the starter. Tried jumping and a different battery and no change. I turned on the headlights and then tried to start it, the lights did not dim so it seems that the starter isn't drawing power.

I replaced the starter with a new one and still get the same, no starter engaging and no cranking. I also replaced the Ignition Time Delay Relay since that seemed to be the only thing in the fuse box that had anything to do with starting the car (is there a fuse in thee for the engine?)

I tried starting it in neutral, thinking the shift sensor may have a problem, no change.

Any ideas?

Reply to
Bill H
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Anyone have any thoughts on this? Where to check next?

Reply to
Bill H

Thanks for answering. It is an automatic and it is possible that she hit it. Where she was parked is a low sidewalk instead of a curb. Just did a quick look and don't see anything knocked off, will have to look closer. Can the neutral switch be bypassed to check if it is damaged?

I need to pick up a manual on this car showing the electronic schematic (unless it is available online somewhere) so I can see what parts are involved in starting the car.

Reply to
Bill H

Sorry - you mean the starter relay next to the battery will let me bypass the neutral switch?

Reply to
Bill H

yes one of them, that vehicle is 12 years old, I cant remember what other relays are there. if you have no idea what im talking about I would not jump it.

Reply to
maxpower

I just checked the neutral switch visually - it hasn't been touched (it is too high up to get hit by something without hitting the transmission also).

I noticed something else when trying to start it. As I said the head lights do not dim when the key is turned to start the car, but the display on the radio (factory installed) does turn off which I am doing it. This should mean that the problem is after the keyswitch. What is next in the circuit after the keyswitch (besides wire)?

Reply to
Bill H

No there is no melting on the cover. Speaking of heat, when we towed the car home, I tried to start it a few more times then I looked for a fuse in the owners manual, the only thing I could find was the ignition time delay relay. This was very hot to the touch. I replaced it (but it didn't help) and now it isn't hot.

I picked up the chiltons manual that has the wiring schematic for the car. As you said, there is a brown wire that goes from the Starter relay on the left shock housing to the starter. If I unplug that relay and apply power direct from the batter it should engage the starter correct?

I don't want to replace parts forever, but out of these parts that are in the ingition system, which do you think would be the most likely to fail (I already replaced the starter):

  1. Starter Relay
  2. Neutral Sensor
Reply to
Bill H

Just did some more testing:

Disconnected plug from starter relay, applied power to brown wire, starter engaged and spun. Starter and wire to it are good.

Used voltmeter attached to ignition wire on starter relay plug and grounded, turned key, got power. Power from key is good.

Plugged starter relay back in, hooked voltmeter up to neutral safety switch, turned on key. Got power out of the center plug which the books says is connected to the starter relay. Wire good.

Couldn't test neutral safety switch, but it is the same switch that controls backup lights. Plugged everything back in, turned on key, put in reverse, no backup lights.

Am I right to assume that this means the neutral safety switch is bad?

Reply to
Bill H

Hooked it up to the neutral safety switch plug, not the switch it self

turned on key. Got power out of the center plug which the books

Reply to
Bill H

Hi - after posting I pulled out the neutral safety switch and the book showed how to test it. It was bad - just replaced it and she started right up. What could have caused it to go bad and the starter to go bad at same time (I had them test the old starter and they said it was bad (unless they lied to me at the parts shop)).

Thanks for all the help!

Reply to
Bill H

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