[joey1slip99]

I apologize and hope i'm posting in the correct location.

I own a 2000 Intrepid 2.7 and I'm having an issue with getting my car to start. I'm not a real big car guy so I'll just give you what I know. Just trying to narrow down the issue.

- First night car would not start, figured it was due to the sub-zero temps we had in our area. Tried to start it a few times from about 5-10 seconds as normal, pretty much sounded like a normal car that wouldn't start in cold weather. Left it as is.

- Next morning was about 20F, attempted to start my car again, same result but appeared like the battery was weak from my attempts. Had a friend come to jump start my vehicle, even after leaving it connected for a few mins, still would not start (starting appeared to be weak). Mech told me to take the battery out of the car, bring it inside, and put it on a trickle charge for 24 hours.

- Next day put my battery back in the car, same result, car would not start, however it didn't seem like the starter was responding (no, not making a click). Took my battery to an auto repair shop (under warranty and got it from them), they tested it and the battery was fine. They ran a performance test to make sure and battery came back normal.

- Next day waited till it was now about 36F, cleaned off all the connectors and battery posts, put the battery back in, same result but again it seemed like the starter was not responding. Almost like I could hear a spinning sound.

At this point i'm thinking it's the starter, but I checked online and a few mechanics, might be a "camshaft position sensor". I'd rather it be a $30 part, rather than a $150 starter, but i have no idea where this is at (The online pictures I found don't seem to help much)

If anyone can help me narrow this down, I'd like to do some of this on my own instead of taking it to a shop. Last time I got ripped off and figured I should start learning to do this stuff myself.

Thanks all.

[Adpros]

When you hear this "Spinning" sound, do the engine belts turn? If you have an assistant to turn the key while you watch the belts, that would be a big help to start the diagnosis. If the engine does indeed turn over but seems to have a lack of compression, that could be a lot bigger than just a starter motor.

[joey1slip99]

Ill try it. When this first started happening and wouldnt start, it sounded like it was right on the edge of when it would. I was almost thinking it wasnt getting fuel, but then this started.

[joe_]

The "spinning" sound doesn't sound like this guy's car, does it? http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/showthread.php?t=247900

[joey1slip99]

Oh god... It does, minus the backfiring. Probably flooded or the timing chain? Well i guess ill just take it in tomorrow and find out

[SRT6INTREPID]

When you stick the key in, and try to start the engine, what are you hearing?

Do you feel the motor kicking as it's turning over and hear it "cranking"

Do you only hear a high-speed winding noise, maybe even muffled (drill like sound)?

[joe_]

If that's the case, it likely isn't good news. :/

[joey1slip99]

Yea not going to even try again and risk further damage and just let my Mech do it.

[SRT6INTREPID]

Yikes. Tow her in, good luck!

[joey1slip99]

Ok, brought another person over that knows more about cars to check what's going on. I had them watch the video and then I attempted to start my car for them.

He said it wasn't like what was on the video, but the belt drive was moving (like I said i'm a car newbie). Today it sounded like the starter was trying to work but wouldn't kick the engine over. I Made a audio clip. (Can't post a direct link yet since I'm a new member, unless you type it out. www . gmptkd . com / wontstart.mp3)

Got me thinking it might be flooded so I did what the factory recommended to de-flood it. Put the accel to the floor and attempted to start it again for 5-10 seconds. Did this 3 times and still nothing.

I'm thinking it might be one of these:
- Starter is on the brink of death
- Camshaft and/or Crankshaft Position Sensor
- Frozen fuel line
- Fuel Pump and/or filter

Think tomorrow i'm going to try to get the start off and take it to be tested, unless someone can think of something else.

[peva]

You said it right earlier: *chain* (not belt).

[joe_]

I think he was referring to the serpentine belt this time.

[joe_]

I hear compression in two cylinders? Or two pistons hitting valves? Either way it doesnt sound real good to me.

[peva]

Ohh!

I was owndering if maybe the starter issue could be related to that, i.e., not strong enough to bend the metal.

[joey1slip99]

Ok guys, well after waiting a few days till it was warmer to get to my starter, for the life of me I can't find it. Even tracing the lines from my battery.

I decided to check and make sure it wasn't one of the larger fuses. Went down and bought some extra fuses and tried; Fuel pump relay & starter relay. Even checked the smaller fuses.

Attempted to start my car again and it's almost on the edge of wanting to start, I checked to see if maybe it was flooded. So I followed the factory recommendations and put the pedal to the floor and attempted to start again. After 2-3 times it seems like it was even less chance to start. Waited about 15 mins and tried again like I would normally, almost wants to start.

Thinking it's not getting fuel... but could this still be a starter issue or is it sound more like a fuel line/pump/filter issue. Only other thing I can think of is one of the sensors. Didn't want to just go replacing them blindly when they are about 50 a pop.

Any suggestions what I could check next, trying to tackle the smaller inexpensive stuff first on my own.