Hey guys...I have a 95 Dodge Stratus, and about a week ago I had a weird problem occur that maybe one of you guys could help me with...I last rode it Tuesday night parked it in front of my house, no problem...the next day I went out to it and turn the key, but nothing happened...no turn over; except the lights in my dashboard came on, my power windows worked, console lights and even the heat, but the radio didn't turn on with ignition like it normally does...the only idiot light that came on was the Brake light.

I've checked all the fuses and relays...the engine does turn when you do it manually from the engine, and the funny thing is that the brake pedal is really tight and the shifter moves freely (never did that unless the engine was on)...tried to jump it, checked the alternator, checked all connections to battery...now I'm at a point where my options are limited...I'm thinking maybe a Fuse wire linkage, or possibly a defect in the ignitiong...Any ideas? Thank you.

3/20/2006 2:45:29 AM

sorry had to be done.

3/20/2006 7:03:28 AM

my poke in the dark would be a bad ignition switch, but you need to test it to be sure. with the switch on, check the ecm fuses under the hood to see if they are getting power. if not then you have either a relay or switch problem, i would also pull all the maxi fuses under the hood and check them

3/20/2006 8:48:55 AM

i would check the battery connections FIRST

3/20/2006 8:54:55 AM

^ he said the power windows work, thats a high amp draw for a bad connection, also most of the stuff that works is on acc, not ign. but that is a good point, if it has a separate cable going to the ign fusebox from the battery, it could be corroded. you just gotta get used to it, i'm surprised this is the first major electrical problem you've had with this car.

oh, where is the car at?

3/20/2006 9:04:17 AM

it is odd the radio wouldn't work but i still agree with optmus on this. check for corrosion on the battery terminals.

3/20/2006 9:10:52 AM

i misread that earlier, check the constant power fuse for the radio/ecm, if that is blown then the starter disable/ theft crap wont work, i'll look at the wiring diagram this afternoon at work if i get a chance

3/20/2006 1:23:06 PM

I'm sorry to make this hard on you guys, but I'm actually in NJ and my girlfriend's father is looking at it as we speak...he's been working with cars for about 40 years and he's having trouble figuring this out....we just replaced the ignition switch because he said the juice was going into there and stopping, but when we went to turn it on....no dice...hopefully someone out there has something to submit and thank you again guys for your help...

3/20/2006 3:14:31 PM

^^btw...is the constant power fuse in the same location with all the other fuses because we've checked all fuses and relays...

3/20/2006 3:15:34 PM

ok...so update:

I don't know if I mentioned new ignition switch....still didn't work...power going in to switch but not going into dashboard...
Like I said before, we've checked the fuses a few times over, but must have really missed the "Ignition fuel starter" fuse was getting power but not putting out...so I replaced the fuse turn to on and idiot lights came on, radio came on, everything back to normal; however when I tried to turn the car on, the starter cranked for a milisecond and the "ignition fuel starter" fuse blew again...so now it's something throwing too much power at that fuse...any ideas guys? tomorrow my girl's father comes back over and we check the fuel pump and I guess possibly the starter?

3/20/2006 4:15:55 PM

YOU SEE MY MOTHERFUCKIN SPACESHIP

THIS IS A DODGE

3/20/2006 4:39:52 PM

there is a tsb on the relay. disconnect the starter wire (the small one on the relay) and try to start it. if it doesnt blow the fuse, then you need to replace the relay

3/20/2006 6:24:49 PM

^^ beat me to it

3/20/2006 7:33:02 PM

awesome...haven't done it yet, but I'll let you guys know when i get the chance...

3/21/2006 1:58:21 PM

I'm sorry to sound stupid, but the guy helping me is a bit old school and doesn't understand what the tsb is...I got it running byy the way....he jumped the car by connecting the starter and some wire in the engine with an insulated wire with and exposed end, and it started like normal and after turning it off and on a few times, it's back to normal...could it have been just some freakish occurence with my starter...he said it might have been a dead spot and we forced the starter out of it and that a starter might be needed in the future and that this was a freakish ocurence

3/22/2006 8:58:50 PM

TYPICAL NIPPONDENSO STARTER IN A DODGE.

3/22/2006 9:59:45 PM

^ exactly, the relay is shot

3/22/2006 10:12:05 PM