2009 Dodge Journey, Starter issues

Hello,
Just purchased this vehicle, dove it home and started it a few times. Put vehicle in the garage and a couple hours later I go out an it doesn't start. The starter is clicking and thats it. I've checked all of the fuses and the relays all are good. New battery and a new starter, and still just get the clicking. Scanned for codes and found P0615. Did the Diagnostic Trouble code test procedures and found all was good but one. Test- Starter control circuit shorted to ground. the test ask if the resistance is below 100 ohm's. the meter showed 0.00 on all scales.

Any ideas on how to proceed with this one?
I get all my info from Alldata

While attempting to crank, and the starter is clicking, what voltage to you read on FUSE J17? If you see, near, battery voltage, what voltage to you read on the YEL/VIO wire, at the starter?

Although Chrysler electrics are what they are before doing anything else give the starter a couple of good whacks with lump of wood or socket extension and then try the starter.

I've tried that with the old starter. And there was no response.

Have a buddy hold ignition in crank position make sure thick red cable has battery voltage to the stud on the starter and also make sure the ground on starter stays close to zero.

IF that checks good, connect multimeter to posts on solenoid and check for drop there: i.imgur.com/LDPGNai.jpg
High volts means bad solenoid contacts.

Hi Chad. I tested the fuse J17 and the voltage is, when cranking, 10.85 v. The voltage at the yellow/violet wire when cranking is .29 v.

prometheus1 wrote: Hello,
Just purchased this vehicle, dove it home and started it a few times. Put vehicle in the garage and a couple hours later I go out an it doesn't start. The starter is clicking and thats it. I've checked all of the fuses and the relays all are good. New battery and a new starter, and still just get the clicking. Scanned for codes and found P0615. Did the Diagnostic Trouble code test procedures and found all was good but one. Test- Starter control circuit shorted to ground. the test ask if the resistance is below 100 ohm's. the meter showed 0.00 on all scales.

Any ideas on how to proceed with this one?
I get all my info from Alldata

You have a short to ground.

You have a bad spot in the yellow/violet. Probably green crusty corrosion. You may, or may, not be able to SEE it. A pin-hole in the wire coating can allow moisture, creating corrosion. You need to find the bad spot, or run a new wire. Somewhere, on the way to the starter, there is a dividing point between 10.85 v and .29v. This will be your corrosion point.

You can Pierce Probe the wire in a methodical manner, probing in the middle of the two reference points, and determining which direction you need to go. If you read 10.85 v, move closer to the starter and probe, again. If you read .29 v, move closer to the fuse and probe again.

You MUST take you voltage measurements while the circuit is loaded (starter clicking). If you test an UNLOADED circuit, the results will be inaccurate.

Watch this video:



EDIT:Be sure to seal any holes you pierce with liquid tape, or fingernail polish. Anything to prevent additional green crusties.

leonardo.monde wrote: You have a short to ground.

A short to ground would, likely, blow fuse J17

This splice might be a good place to start, if you can find it.

Thanks Chad, I'll go and see what I can find.

I've got a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT 3.5L which is now sitting in the driveway dead - actually there is clicking when you turn the key. The starter was recently replaced and the vehicle did start immediately when it was on the ramp but after it was driven off the ramp and parked, failed to start. There was a noticeable noise when it was driven off the ramp. Can you tell me with regard to fuse J17 and the Yel/Gry and Yel/Vio wires that go to the starter, what other systems would be affected if there is a short in the Yel/Gry or Yel/Vio wires? I'm not an electrical or car person but my husband has been dealing with our Journey. The recalls are up to date but before the totally dead situation now, the airbag indicator light would always come on after starting the car and would be always on when driving. (Door harness issue?).

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