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#1
07-04-2003, 03:31 AM
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1988 Dodge Shadow Help
I have a 1988 Dodge Shadow that used to run, I got it a long time ago, and it used to run. We parked it for a while, and now it wont start and I don't know why. I put in a brand new battery, and the lights work and everything, but when I start it, nothing happens except the battery sparks and sometimes smoke comes off. Then also, sometimes it kills the battery for a few minutes, sometimes it doesn't. I have no idea where to start, so if anyone has any advice please let me know.
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#4
07-05-2003, 12:18 AM
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Make sure the battery cables are clean and tight. A loose battery cable will spark. Do you hear a click from the starter at all? Try tapping the starter and crank the engine. Let us know.
__________________
NOTHING LIKE AN OLD CAR.
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#5
07-05-2003, 03:12 AM
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No, they are tight and everything. The cables are old and worn, and I should replace them but I haven't gotten to it yet. It used to start the way the cables are now. There's no click at all. It used to click and stuff, but now nothing. It kinda sounds like if you were to blow air through your mouth, but quickly closed your throat. Like I guess it tries, but nothing happens. Then it's quiet and the sparks come out and all, but I don't hold the key. Could it be old gas doing it? It has pretty old gas, but I don't know what to do about that. What else could happen to it from just sitting there not doing anything?
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#7
07-05-2003, 04:58 PM
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Sorry, I missed what Polygon said when I replied last. It's been about 3 years since I got it, but it has ran since then. It probably hasn't ran in at least a year and a half. It did have a mouse nest in the air filter that I cleaned out a while ago and I've never seen them since. But I am thinking maybe they got a wire somewhere. I didn't think that old gas would keep it from turning over, but from running. I know something else is wrong, and once I fix that I'm sure there's other problems including the old gas. I really wish I could afford to just buy a new car right now.
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#8
07-05-2003, 07:00 PM
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Maybe the selenoid went out, thats what makes the click sound. So replace the selenoid, and if it still doesn't start it's the starter. But of course first of all make sure the battery is good and you have good wires.
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#9
07-06-2003, 05:39 AM
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Ok, I know that the battery is good, it's brand new. But I was working on my car today, and the mice came back, I cleaned out a new nest. Anyway, I checked the wires, I found nothing broken, but one wasn't plugged in and I have no idea where it goes, I searched for 5 or 10 minutes and there was nothing there, so maybe it's not supposed to be plugged in. Then there was one of those groups of wires that goes to a box that plugs into the side that I plugged in, and now the battery does not spark when I try to start it, it just does nothing. But then my car does not get anymore power. The lights go out and everything until I disconnect the wires from the battery and put them back on. I did check the battery to make sure it wasn't losing it's charge. So, what would make the car stop getting power until I rehookup the battery? I appreciate all the help, and I'll keep tryin things and coming back to report. I can also take pictures of my car, I have a digital camera.
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