Hi, I'm new to this forum, and unfortunately I don't have much mechanical knowledge. I can change fuses and spark plugs, but that's as far as I've gone.
I'm incredibly frustrated because I cannot keep my Dart running. (Ok, it's not my Dart, it's my husbands, but he's already given up on it). It's already been taken to two mechanics, who diagnosed it, "fixed it" and then of course charged me at a rate that becomes unacceptable as soon as the car starts having the same problems it has had all along.The first mechanic that worked on this thing replaced the starter and worked on the breaks. It died two days later and my husband left him a nasty message. They had a verbal brawl and then the guy "fixed" it again, which again only kept it running temporarily.
Here's the symptoms:
The car acts like it has a dead battery:
Replaced the battery
The car runs fine after the battery is replaced (for about a week) and then the battery is dead again.
(We have somehow figured out that there's a 3 amp draw on the battery if the ignition switch is left at anything but a 90 degree angle when the key is removed. We always turn the lights off first before turning the vehicle off and then check that the switch is in the correct position).
My husband replaces the voltage regulator and the alternator.
Again, the car runs fine for about a week.
We're able to get by with jumping the car for a while, but eventually the headlights dim and the turn signals stop working.
We take it to a Dodge Dealership and have them diagnose the vehicle.
Here's their diagnosis:
Vehicle needs new voltage regulator (?), new battery (???), and a new negative terminal battery cable.
Okay fine, we have them replace the battery cable. My husband installs another voltage regulator (because it was cheaper than having them do it for $80) and the battery is brand new so we let it slide for about a week.
Car runs great until I go to the store one morning and it won't start when I come out. The battery is dead. After walking home getting my husband and our emergency starter, we attempt to jump it. My husband thinks I ran out of gas (improbable )
but the gage was not on empty when I left the house. After several attempts at jumping it, the battery and the jumper are out of juice. We fill a gas can and get some Engine Starter spray and it still won't start. Walk over to Napa, buy a new battery, he keeps the ignition cranked for an unreasonable amount of time and BAM! it starts. FINE.... I ran out of gas and the battery died at the same time. This is just my luck. So it seems...The car runs great for another 3 or 4 days, except it's acting like it's misfiring at times. There was a instance when it wouldn't move forward at a stop sign when I accelerated and then suddenly jumped forward like the engine was going to fly outta the hood. (Didn't mention this to hubby, thought the engine was just cold, or we need new spark plugs). It did misfire once when he was driving as well.
Everything else is fine until 2 nights ago, I try to start the car and NOTHING happens when I turn the key. No starter clicks or anything. I go get hubby and he comes out, puts the key in the ignition and of course it starts (although reluctantly, and not until the second try). So he thinks I can't figure out how to get the key in the ignition properly...whatever. I keep the car running while I'm at the store so there's no issues about getting home. When I'm driving, I'm noticing that the turn signals are only blinking at about half speed .
The next day, the car won't start at alll. Doesn't even try to. No clicks or anything. The ignition switch light comes on just fine and it doesn't seem to be a battery issue.
Do I need a new ignition switch?
I tried putting the car in neutral this morning and starting it but it made one single click sound and did nothing else. Then I tried again while jiggling the shifter (the car is an automatic) and still nothing. DEAD.
Any ideas?
(I promise to keep my posts short and sweet after this one). Thanks in advance for any advice.