Diagnosis And Testing - Starting - Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual

DR
STARTING (Continued)
open switch prevents the starter relay from being
energized and the starter motor from operating
unless the automatic transmission gear selector is in
the Neutral or Park positions.
When the starter relay coil is energized, the nor-
mally open relay contacts close. The relay contacts
connect the relay common feed terminal to the relay
normally open terminal. The closed relay contacts
energize the starter solenoid coil windings.
The energized solenoid pull-in coil pulls in the sole-
noid plunger. The solenoid plunger pulls the shift
lever in the starter motor. This engages the starter
overrunning clutch and pinion gear with the starter
ring gear.
As the solenoid plunger reaches the end of its
travel, the solenoid contact disc completes the high-
amperage starter feed circuit and energizes the sole-
noid plunger hold-in coil. Current now flows between
the solenoid battery terminal and the starter motor,
energizing the starter.
Once the engine starts, the overrunning clutch pro-
tects the starter motor from damage by allowing the
CONDITION
STARTER FAILS TO
OPERATE.
STARTER ENGAGES,
FAILS TO TURN
ENGINE.
Starting System Diagnosis
POSSIBLE CAUSE
1. Battery discharged or
faulty.
2. Starting circuit wiring
faulty.
3. Starter relay faulty.
4. Ignition switch faulty.
5. Clutch pedal position
switch faulty.
6. Park/Neutral position
switch faulty or
misadjusted.
7. Starter solenoid faulty.
8. Starter motor faulty.
1. Battery discharged or
faulty.
2. Starting circuit wiring
faulty.
3. Starter motor faulty.
4. Engine seized.
starter pinion gear to spin faster than the pinion
shaft. When the ignition switch is released to the On
position, the starter relay coil is de-energized. This
causes the relay contacts to open. When the relay
contacts open, the starter solenoid plunger hold-in
coil is de-energized.
When the solenoid plunger hold-in coil is de-ener-
gized, the solenoid plunger return spring returns the
plunger to its relaxed position. This causes the con-
tact disc to open the starter feed circuit, and the shift
lever to disengage the overrunning clutch and pinion
gear from the starter ring gear.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STARTING

SYSTEM
The battery, starting, and charging systems oper-
ate in conjunction with one another, and must be
tested as a complete system. For correct starting/
charging system operation, all of the components
involved in these 3 systems must perform within
specifications.
CORRECTION
1. Refer to Battery. Charge or replace battery, if required.
2. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Test and repair starter
feed and/or control circuits, if required.
3. Refer to Starter Relay in Diagnosis and Testing.
Replace starter relay if required.
4. Refer to Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder.
Replace ignition switch if required.
5. Refer to Clutch Pedal Position Switch.
6. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch. Replace
park/neutral position switch if required.
7. Refer to Starter Motor. Replace starter motor assembly
if required.
8. If all other starting system components and circuits test
OK, replace starter motor.
1. Refer to Battery. Charge or replace battery if required.
2. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Test and repair starter
feed and/or control circuits if required.
3. If all other starting system components and circuits test
OK, replace starter motor assembly.
4. Refer to Engine Diagnosis in the Diagnosis and Testing
section of 9, Engine.
STARTING 8F - 29