Concorde ignition/starter problem!!!

[Mjlarson]

I have a 1997 Concorde LX. I think either my starter or my ignition is failing. It always starts after a few trys, but sometimes it clicks like it would if the battery were dead. But like I said, it always starts. Has anyone had a problem like this, or know what might be wrong. Is it inexpensive to fix? Could I do it myself??

[AWP9521]

Does it happen on cold starts or hot starts? That may possibly be a starter problem, especially if it starts when cold but not when hot until after a cool down period. if not then it could be a lot of things, just chasing down what.

Or is it a random occurance no matter if its hot or cold like a possible gnition switch or starter relay may cause.

You said it "clicks like it would if the battery were dead" you might want to have the battery tested (especially if it's still the OEM battery) to see if it's time for replacement. If the battery has been replaced recently then make sure the terminals are clean and tight, having the charging system tested wouldn't hurt either if the battery checks out ok.

[hwyflier2]

Originally Posted by Mjlarson

I have a 1997 Concorde LX. I think either my starter or my ignition is failing. It always starts after a few trys, but sometimes it clicks like it would if the battery were dead. But like I said, it always starts. Has anyone had a problem like this, or know what might be wrong. Is it inexpensive to fix? Could I do it myself??

I have a 1999 Concorde that had the same problem...it started out being just an intermittant thing.. and over time it gradually got worse..and worse....where it wouldn't start at all....I went through three batteries..(at the dealerships recommendation) I took the car in twice to the dealership....the first time the service manager said that it was the battery.... I know enough about cars to know that when I took the battery out and had it tested by itself and it was good that the battery was not the problem....but the dealership said (and showed me a test sheet where they supposedly tested my battery) it was the battery. They would not warranty the starter since they said that wasn't the problem. Thing is I asked them about my warranty when I first talked to them about changing the starter...so they knew I was trying to get warranty work done..

I took the battery back twice to Autozone to make sure I had a fresh battery...
Even with changing the battery there would be no change with the way the car acted.
I finally decided to take the car back to the dealer....(this was after about 3 months) and when I took it in...this time I didn't say anything about my warranty...I just said that the car wouldn't start.. Lo and behold....they called me back within a half an hour and said the starter was bad....and then I mentioned "Oh...that should be covered under my warranty then...right..?)

So they couldn't get around not changing the starter under warranty.. This all happened about 8 months ago and I haven't had a problem since...

See my original thread here...
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=470988

So, to answer your question...there is a very good chance that your starter is bad...

[spacecaboy]

did you ever get an answer to that question about the starter? i bought a new one and still get "the click"

[wil0099]

99 concorde
I have same problem changed starter didnt fix it. I talked with a Chrysler shop manager and he told me 2 check my battery cables for corrosion and tightness.

[Simprof]

Try changing out the start rely located under the hood before doing anything else. If they start going bad they work sometimes then half work then don't work at all.

It's what I did on my 1999 Concorde and it's been fine now for two weeks..

[wil0099]

Well I finally took it to the dealer and it was the ignition switch so the problem is fixed. I wasted a 200.00 dollars putting on a new starter the switch was 100.00 dollars to repair. Well I guess I got a new starter out of the deal. Good Luck to all. I found the best thing to do is bring'em to the dealer they get you one way or another. Joe