Hi. I'm having such a hard time with my Dodge Intrepid, and these problems just started in December. My dad left the headlights on, so the battery died down, but only enough to keep the car from starting. I worked and worked on it until I finally recharged it for only 2 hours and it worked after about 15 attempts. When we were driving in it after 4 weeks of it being used, it just shut down on us and wouldn't start back up.

We had it towed and no one hasn't really messed with it since then. The battery is about 4 yrs. old, but I thought it might still be good, but after I charged it, it still wasn't powerful enough to crank the engine. We bought a new battery last weekend, and everything works, but the engine won't start. It cranks and the belts are still in tact, but I can't figure out what the problem could be. I have had one person told me its the starter, and another tell me it's the alternator, but there are not lights on the dashboard informing me of any problems.

What else do you think it could be? I have noticed that when I plug the car cables on to the battery terminal, one of the relays click in the relay box, and I have had one blown fuse before. Could it be a relay problem? Thanks for your help! Bernard .

Bernard,

If the engine is TURNING over, but won’t ignite….won’t start, the starter is doing its job and the battery is doing its job.  So you are missing one of the three key ingredients to make the engine fire off and start…spark…fuel….and compression.

About the only thing you can really check yourself without any special tools or training is a shade tree mechanic test for the fuel pump.  Have someone bang on the bottom of the fuel tank with their fist or a rubber hammer WHILE you are cranking the engine over.  This is a great way to “jump start” a weak fuel pump.  If the engine starts, you need a new fuel pump.

Honestly, anything else will require some special equipment and some experience.  So….I would recommend you have it towed to the repair shop at least for a diagnosis, maybe you can do the repairs once you know what the problem is.

On the alternator…its job is to re-charge the battery of electricity.  The belt on the alternator turns and it generates the electricity and sends it to the battery. The alternator will not stop the engine from starting, it will however cause the battery to drain down and you will have to jump start it to get battery power back.  You can have the alternator checked once you get the engine started, but I would assume you do not have a problem with it.

The relay clicking you hear is probably normal.  You are energizing the electrical system when you attach the battery cables.

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