2000 Intrepid Starter/Electrical Problem?

2000 Intrepid with 3.2L engine. This morning, turned ignition key to start
and wouldn't turn over. After several tries finally got to crank normally
and started. Strange part was that, while key was turned to start and not
cranking, CD changer started cycling through CD slots and finally spit out
the one CD I had in it. Heater changed from setting of 70 degrees in auto
to manual at 75 degrees and outside temperature indication went to 75
degrees even though it's been in the 50's. This happened four or five times
after shutting off car for various errands this morning. This afternoon
problem has disappeared, at least temporarily. Ordinarily I'd blame
starting problem on a failing starter solenoid but, with the other
associated symptoms I'm not sure. Heater, radio and CD player all continue
to work normally and outside temperature indication eventually corrected
itself. Seemed like there may have been an unusual amount of static on the
radio for 10 - 15 minutes after each of these starting problems but may have
just been in a bad signal area by coincidence. Any ideas??

 

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')