2001 dodge neon doesn't start, ticks

[ipwnurmomspoon]

My girlfriend has a 2001 dodge neon, and for the past week, unknown to me, every time she tries to start it, it does a really loud clicking noise, and the second time she tries to start it, it starts fairly well, up until tonight. tonight, we were about to leave her house, we tried to start the car, and it just wouldn't start. all we could get it to do was click. i was thinking maybe the starter, but i really dont have any experience working on front wheel drive vehicles, and wouldn't even know where the starter is located. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

[kok328]

Clean your battery terminals. If it's still a problem after that, try to jump start the car. Once you get it running, take it to Autozone for a free battery & starter check.

[ipwnurmomspoon]

i haven't tried what you just mentioned yet, but the cars radio and clock and everything still work, so i dont think its a bad connection, ill try the starter test in a few hours, thanks

[99 Neon R/T]

Originally Posted by kok328

Clean your battery terminals. If it's still a problem after that, try to jump start the car. Once you get it running, take it to Autozone for a free battery & starter check.

I agree.Even if your radio and stuff still works you may not be getting enough current to crank the car.

[palindromelol]

Sounds like a contactor in the solenoid is bad. Those solenoids are crimped closed so difficult to repair. The solenoid is part of the starter motor assembly ie the starter. So if it isn't a bad battery and connections it may well be the "starter". 40-60 bucks for parts after the core trade in.

[NeonSE2001]

I am in same camp...2001 Neon, only clicks, can't even jump it. Is it worth even going to Autozone for a tester kit, or just straight to the shop? What should I be weary of from the mechanic?

[sheetmagnet]

Well as long as the battery has enough juice, and the connection is good, and it turns out to be that the starter assy is bad, then you could replace it yourself with some basic tools.

I have an '04, and the starter is located directly in the front... pop the hood and you can see it below the intake manifold, almost underneath your throttle body... pretty accessable.