Engine Performance problem
1998 Chrysler Intrepid 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic
3 weeks ago, my car would not start. When I turned the key, all I got was "tick,tick,tick".
I got a jump and it started right away. The car was ok around town but, as soon as I turned it off, any attempt to restart it would result in the same "tick,tick,tick".
Until one day when I held the key on for about 10 seconds. The engine turned over and started right away. It worked that way for a few days before going back to "tick,tick,tick".
At the first sign of trouble, 3 weeks ago, I changed battery, cleaned up all the cables and main wires. This last weekend, I changed the starter-solenoid.
This morning, I had the same problems and hooked up the jumper cables to the spare battery I now carry with me when I go out. As usual, the car started right away. I decided to leave the 2nd battery hooked up with jumper cables to help charge it up (does that work by the way ?).
I noticed that, while the 2nd battery was still hooked up, my interior lights no longer flickered and the battery "idiot light" did not appear on my instrument panel. At least not until I disconnected the jumper cables.
Then the familiar pattern resulted -- car still running, ABS "idiot light" comes on, and a minute later, battery "idiot light" comes on, lights flicker, and dome lights come on sporadically.
I would love to take the car to a mechanic to fix the problem, but my budget allowed for the starter replacement only ($30 from an auto-wrecker).
I am at my wits' end and would appreciate any light you can shed on this problem.
1998 Chrysler Intrepid 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic
3 weeks ago, my car would not start. When I turned the key, all I got was "tick,tick,tick".
I got a jump and it started right away. The car was ok around town but, as soon as I turned it off, any attempt to restart it would result in the same "tick,tick,tick".
Until one day when I held the key on for about 10 seconds. The engine turned over and started right away. It worked that way for a few days before going back to "tick,tick,tick".
At the first sign of trouble, 3 weeks ago, I changed battery, cleaned up all the cables and main wires. This last weekend, I changed the starter-solenoid.
This morning, I had the same problems and hooked up the jumper cables to the spare battery I now carry with me when I go out. As usual, the car started right away. I decided to leave the 2nd battery hooked up with jumper cables to help charge it up (does that work by the way ?).
I noticed that, while the 2nd battery was still hooked up, my interior lights no longer flickered and the battery "idiot light" did not appear on my instrument panel. At least not until I disconnected the jumper cables.
Then the familiar pattern resulted -- car still running, ABS "idiot light" comes on, and a minute later, battery "idiot light" comes on, lights flicker, and dome lights come on sporadically.
I would love to take the car to a mechanic to fix the problem, but my budget allowed for the starter replacement only ($30 from an auto-wrecker).
I am at my wits' end and would appreciate any light you can shed on this problem.
May 7, 2009 at 3:56 PM
