90' Dakota Starting Problem

Hello everyone,

My GF has a 1990 Dodge Dakota SE (long bed) 3.9L V-6. When I try to turn the ignition key on to start, most times the starter motor will turn very slow like chug-chug, like a near dead battery. Then, if I'm lucky and wait and come back to it, all of the sudden it will start like normal. Mainly, it's like a battery dying, but the battery is good. I did see some visible corrosion in the dual postive line at the positive lead connector that goes to battery (red/black...same size..weird positve line with 3 wires?...the two red / black wires and a smaller accessory wire?) Can't find anything like it in the parts stores.

I did some searching. Could i have the same autorelay wiring problem near the battery as other Dakotas? Would my problem be located in the same place? Or is this a starter problem? Hall effect sensor? Corroded battery cable? (I know OEM replacements are hard to find). The dodge dealer lists the positive cable as no longer in production or practically non-existent.

Right now I am thinking the starter is toast, but after doing some searching, maybe the autoshutdown relay wiring is suspect?

I put the battery back in and tried to start w/ no avail.

I did, however get 3 trouble codes: 12, 41 & 55. Anyone decipher this?

Maybe i forgot to plug something in when putting the battery in place. I'll post some pictures soon.

I would first clean up the corrosion. But it sounds like the starter solenoid. (probably mounted on the starter, or an integral part of the starter).

I think the only thing would be to replace the positive cable...the corrosion looks bad, but Dodge no longer makes the cable for this car.

Here's a few pictures. Look at that battery positive terminal!!
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/holypiston/dakbatt1.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/holypiston/dakbattconn1.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/holypiston/dakdrvrside1.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/holypiston/dakstarter.jpg

Purchase a generic battery terminal at Autozone or even Wal Mart.
Make sure that you have enough slack in the cables to allow you to cut them off about an inch or two back, so that you cut off any corrosion in the copper.
Strip them back and use the new terminal. I like the gold ones, they tend not to corrode.

Purchase a generic battery terminal at Autozone or even Wal Mart.
Make sure that you have enough slack in the cables to allow you to cut them off about an inch or two back, so that you cut off any corrosion in the copper.
Strip them back and use the new terminal. I like the gold ones, they tend not to corrode.

Thanks sdavis.

My trouble codes showing are now: 12, 33 & 55.

when i try to start with the 2 amp charger hooked up, it has a rat-atat sound..like contacts are rattling or something.

The gold terminal you are talking about, is that the one where you have a "clamp" and you just tighten the bolts to secure it?

Yes. It's very inexpensive.
You can tap on the side of the starter sometimes to get in to engage. But the rat tat tat or maybe clicking sounds would be an indicator of a weak battery, or not much juice getting to the starter.

Yes. It's very inexpensive.
You can tap on the side of the starter sometimes to get in to engage. But the rat tat tat or maybe clicking sounds would be an indicator of a weak battery, or not much juice getting to the starter.

BTW: what in hell did you use to cut those THICK cables with? A bolt cutter?

I measured voltage across the battery @ 11.75V. I think i may have found something in the starter relay. Looks like the terminal for 87A has either broke off or maybe they designed it that way for the 1990 Dodge Dakota SE 3.9 L V-6?

Relay terminal test (FLUKE 16 multimeter):

I tested 87A and 30...showed 0.6 ohms resistance, i was expecting 0.2 ohms or less
Between 87 and 30 ....infinite resistance ...that is good.
85 and 86 i show 87.7 ohms resistance and spec is between 70~80 ohms.

I'm gonna buy a new relay and terminal...wish me luck.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/holypiston/startrelay1.jpg

Use a paperclip to jumper the two connections that measure open (infinity).
That in conjuction with the key turn should cause a start.

I won't be logging back on today, I will try to check on things this weekend.

Good luck.

Problem fixed!

Bought an all new autolite battery and cut the wires back an inch to better copper. Replaced both regulators just for the hell of it. Finished it off with some conduit wrap and zip ties. Now that current is flowing, seems to idle better too. No problem starting. Starts right up now.

Thanks for your help sdavis!!

I glad you were able to get it solved.