[nitro6816]

Parked it, came back after about 20 minutes to start it and nada zippo bubkus. Starter won't turn. Lights come on dash, headlights bright, plenty of battery power. Turn the key and the usual and proper dash lights come on and go out as per the manual.

Swell. LOL

Called Dodge towing assistance and they were GREAT!!!! VERY IMPRESSED.

Getting towed to dealer I bought it from tomorrow morning. By chance, have any of you had this happen? Car has 1,700 miles on the odometer, build date of Nov. '06 and was purchased new in July '07.

Was plenty lucky it didn't die on me where I just came from too....out in the boonies.

Nitro6816

 

[Paladin021]

That happened to me a while back in my old car (Jeep)

The solution for me was shaking the shift handle (automatic) a little, and I guess it jostled the switch that determines that the vehicle is not in gear - I may have even shifted it to neutral and back to park - I don't remember for sure.

Anyway - it confused me for a few minutes, but I figured it out eventually. It never happened to me again, either.

 

[Triple 6]

Did you have it in "park"? If it was in gear, all of what you described would happen.

 

[Waldorf]

I hope you get it working again, sorry to hear that!

 

[ponchonutty]

I've heard of some of the Dodge vehicles having issues with the SKIM keys. Was your security light flashing?

 

[dk1677]

I had that happen on my 96 Jeep it was 3 years old at the time I think and It turned over fine but no starting, I got a tow and the dealer checked it out ( I thought it was the fuel pump or in the electronics ) and said the it was the battery and replaced it and no problems after that!

 

[nitro6816]

Update...Star Date 11/12/07.......

Tried to start it again late last night (dead cold) and after several attempts turning ignition on and off it fired off. Parked it in a better place, shut off the motor and tried to restart. Nothing but dash lights. Unnnnnnggggghhhh.

Sounds like this could be fun.

Nitro6816

 

[KenCary]

Tried to start it again late last night (dead cold) and after several attempts turning ignition on and off it fired off. Parked it in a better place, shut off the motor and tried to restart. Nothing but dash lights. Unnnnnnggggghhhh.

Sounds like this could be fun.

Nitro6816

This could be as simple as a loose battery cable. In the case of a loose or corroded cable, the lights will often shine brightly but the connection can't pass enough current to start.

It is worth a look under the hood.

 

[NitroRico]

This happened to me once in another vehicle. The car was not fully in park

 

[nitro6816]

Looked under the hood. No loose battery cables......

So went out this morning. It starts right UP. #[email protected]&!!! I'd rather it be stone cold dead than have this 'gremlin' crap going on. Talked to the SM and he sez they may be able to find out with a StarScan what's going on and then again they may not. He thought it might be the security module dealie they put in there at the dealership. Told me to make sure the plug is pushed in all the way which it was.

My gut tells me this is a computer module glitch and not some key chip issue. The reason being I tried using my wife's key and it wouldn't start either. Then again, it could be the battery is malfunctioning somewhere I suppose.

Taking it in tomorrow for its first oil change plus of course this deal.

Will keep you guys posted.

Nitro6816

Late breaking update: Talked to another dealership SM and he said that in his experience many times this kind of non-start problem can be traced back to the dealer installed security module located beneath the steering column. As a normal course of action they pretty much just take it out and revert it back to the original factory wiring. I don't have a theft system in my Nitro so I'm going to request that they take mine out too.

 

[nitro6816]

Latest update on non-starting issues..............

Dealer did a StarScan. Nothing showed up. Only thing was a dated tire pressure monitor entry. Sooooooooooooo, we're hoping it was the "ProLock" security system that they installed when I bought it that caused the no-start gremlin. This black plastic looking thingamabob btw is located right below the steering column and looks like a harness connector from what I gather. Usually it's plugged up if the customer opts out of buying a dealer-installed alarm system but of course they leave it installed I suppose in case the customer changes his mind. Go figure.

SM said that he hadn't see any Nitros with this dealie causing problems but he sure has seen it in other models. All it takes to disconnect it apparently is reconnecting the original factory harness back up. This ProLock system according to him sometimes has the wires crimped too tightly and that's what causes the snafus.

We shall see.....

Nitro6816

 

[Waldorf]

wow! I hope that's what it is!!! good luck with that!

 

[Paladin021]

There's a dubious prognosis, if I ever heard one!

Good luck, there!

 

[daddyjack]

I have seen those aftermarket system really mess up a can buss vehicle. The ignition switch is not really a switch anymore. It is just a key position sensor, and with just a little bit of resistance in the wires will send an incorrect signal. I always remove the aftermarket starter kill systems and install a mopar alarm if needed.

 

[Waldorf]

I have seen those aftermarket system really mess up a can buss vehicle. The ignition switch is not really a switch anymore. It is just a key position sensor, and with just a little bit of resistance in the wires will send an incorrect signal. I always remove the aftermarket starter kill systems and install a mopar alarm if needed.

welcome daddyjack to the forum, you should go to the newbie section and introduce yourself properly and get the warm welcome you deserve!

 

[nitro6816]

Well dubious prognosis or not, ya gotta remove what's....

not contributing and this ProLock dealie wasn't contributing to anything except its existence. So, now that it's removed and if I get the no-start problem again then at least the tech has a basis to go by. It sure beats leaving it in there and always wondering! What else can I do?

That's all, for now......

Nitro6816