2006 Dodge Stratus Stratus makes clicking noise and engine

2006 DODGE STRATUS
38,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
BRITTANYARMSTRONG96
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 2006 Dodge Stratus SXT and recently when I go in the morning to start the car when I turn the key it makes loud clicking noises and the engine does not turn over. I have had the battery checked and it has plenty of life. I have also made sure the cables are clean and tight. If i exit my car and bounce the hood up and down a little bit it will sometimes start then. I've also had to jump it several times because it seems something is draining the battery. However, all the lights in the cab are on and my headlights light up also. I need help I can't jump my battery every morning before work.

Thank you
Britt
Oct 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hi Brittany,

How did you have your battery checked? If someone just put a volt meter on it then that will only tell you what the voltage is in the battery. Your battery can show 12.56 volts with a volt meter which is a full charge. However, what a volt meter does not tell you nor can it show you is what the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and if they are low your vehicle won't turn over and may just click rapidly.

If you had your batteries cranking amps checked and they are good then you either have a starter problem or a bad battery cable.



.
Oct 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Avatar
AVENUE723
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
1.YOU need to check if the car has a battery draw/drain on it. Every car does, depending on computer memory/electronics- but not much

Have a mechanic/or if u can do it yourself:

Take a volt meter- put it on to measure amps/current- disconnect one of the battery terminals. put one test lead on the battery terminal, and the other on the wire to connect volt meter in the circuit..
you should only have around 0.10 -0.20 amp draw(one tenth,two tenths of an amp)

Any more than that then u have a battery that is getting drained fast..

2. If you bounce the hood and it starts--- then something is loose- Have the Starter wires checked- - the wire that is a clip on/push on-- on the starter is a bad design and comes loose sometimes- if loose it wont crank..

If it does have enough juice, it maybe the starter going bad or a loose/shorting out wire somewhere
Oct 21, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Advertisement