no starter on 2004 Avenger

[montague]

Howdy All,

My son went to start my Avenger after it had been sitting for a few weeks and the starter solenoid clicked a few times and the went completely dead.

So I tried charging the battery, when key was turned to run it would run the fan, the voltage dial was a little over 12 but silence when turned to start position.

Next I replaced the battery with a brand new fully charged one, but still the same, lots of voltage but start produces nothing.

And of course, the Avenger does not have a back up pull start.............

So I am wondering if I have a bad solenoid from the dying battery or a bad spot in the starter, anyone else had experience with this?

The starter looks like a real bear to get at so I am hoping there is a suggested solution that does not involve pulling it.

Let me know your thoughts, thanks in advance

[thebuggyman1]

Double check for loose or corroded connections on the power and ground wires.

[Mike]

If I had to guess I would think it was the solenoid. You can easily check by running a jumper cable from the battery to the small terminal on the solenoid. If it still just clicks then you know it wasn't bad connections. Next use the jumper cable from the battery to the starter itself. If it still doesn't spin over then you have an issue with your starter. If it spins over though, your solenoid is the problem.

[BW3]

Not sure if this will help , but I had to help my friend install a new starter on his 2000 Bigfoot we were able to do it without having to pull the engine but it is not easy , we used a mirror and a light and a lot of Patience..... and my mechanical skills is about the same as a duck's...
Bill G

[racerone3]

I would first think bad solenoid, and my next thought would be a bad ground or power connection. Jump the solenoid like Mike suggested. If that doesn't get it, check/ wiggle/ tighten every power and ground connection between the engine and battery.

[RWT]

You can jump your solenoid with a screwdriver. Touch the two big terminals, with the key in the run position. It will turn the starter over, if the solenoid is no good. Or you can check the small wire going to the solenoid if you have a multimeter. There should be 12 volts with the key on. If you have 12 volts there, check the terminal coming from the battery. It should have 12 volts and when you turn the key to the on position, check the terminal going to the starter. Most likely, there will be no power when you turn the key to the start position. This indicates a faulty solenoid.

[montague]

Thanks all! I will try these suggestions when I get back to the cabin this weekend. The dealership mechanic made the same suggestions when I called, likely suspects are bad connection, followed by solenoid test with screwdriver across terminals and if all that doesn't cover it, then the starter.

Like anything, I will start with the easiest and cheapest solutions and work my way towards the expensive and difficult (replacing starter).

Darn, I wish the Avenger had manual pull start back up!!!!

[Rusty-Gunn]

Why don't the Avengers have pull starters?

[montague]

Why don't the Avengers have pull starters?

Aint that the $64000 question; i only wish they did!

But the good news is that after carefully taking every connection apart nd cleaning with abrasive, then reassemblying with a coating of dialectric grease, she fired right up and all is fine.

Thanks all!

[rapidroy]

montague that thing should have a fuse for the start system, i suspect when the voltage dropped in the battery you may have gotten an amp surge that burned the fuse. Take a look and give it a try, wont cost a dime either... RR

[gusgus]

Check the Neutral Safety Switch, had it happen to me early in the spring, thankfully it happened at home and not in the bush.

Item: 668-06 ACCESSORY, NEUTRAL START