Turning the ignition key on, but Dodge Charger refuses to start; if this is your scenario, we know how frustrating it can be. Among today’s automobiles, the Dodge Charger ranks high in demand. This vehicle is known for dependability, although it may sometimes have issues. Several explanations are possible.
The most common reasons a car won’t start are dead or faded battery, rusted or loose connecting cables, a defective starter, or a faulty alternator. Here, we will discuss all the major and less common issues and how to fix and estimate each cost.
What are the Major Issues that Dodge Charger Won’t Start?
Starting any vehicle involves hundreds of moving parts inside; so is the Dodge Charger. Failure or damage to any of these components can lead to disruption since it would throw off the starting mechanism, and as a result, the Dodge Charger won’t start.
It can be overwhelming for any driver to learn about all the internal components and be proficient with them. Fortunately, automotive experts have figured out the potential problems related to the Charger’s starting and explanations for fixing them in detail. The following list highlights the primary reasons behind your vehicle’s starting problem.
01. Dead battery issues
One of the significant offenders being the hindrance to your Charger’s engine starting or starting slowly is a weak or dead battery. A dead battery prevents the engine from receiving power from the starting mechanism.
The battery’s age is only sometimes the only cause of battery-related problems. Even installed with brand-new batteries, several Dodge Charger models can have trouble starting.
If the Dodge Charger is not starting, inspect the battery as a first step. You can test to determine the starting battery state by checking the acid level in the battery and quantifying the electromotive force between the battery’s two poles.
The Dodge Charger’s battery is placed underneath the boot cover, linked to positive and negative poles, and tuned to the battery voltage range. When tested, the voltage successfully generally ranges around 12-13 volts. If the reading exceeds the limit of 14 or drops below 11, it suggests that the battery might be defective and needs to be replaced.
After being confirmed that the faulty battery is preventing the Charger from starting, you can apply a jump-start to get it going temporarily and take the vehicle for professional help. A set of jumper wires and a good battery of another car, or a battery booster, should be all needed to get it going again.
You should connect the red wire to the dead Charger battery’s positive pole and then proceed to the donor battery’s positive pole. The next step is to attach the black wire to the donor battery’s negative pole. And then connect the other end of the wire to the uncovered metal in the Charger’s engine compartment.
First, start the car that will be donated, following your Charger. Unplug the wires following the sequence in which they were installed.
When you have successfully jump-started your car and driven it to a nearby service center, let a qualified technician examine it. Upon the confirmation of the dead battery, replacing a new one is suggested. The replacement of the Dodge Charger battery costs $255 on average, with the materials cost at $160 and labor $95. There may be a difference in price based on where you are located.
02. Bad Alternator
When a battery’s charge is low, its alternator provides the power to run the car’s components until the battery can be recharged. However, the alternator may not be able to produce enough juice and provide sufficient power for the engine to start.
If the alternator is not functioning correctly, your car will exhibit symptoms similar to a dead battery. The inability to start the Dodge Charger or difficulty starting it, fading lights, and problematic audio output are all signs that something is wrong with the alternator.
Additionally, there may be a problem with the alternator bearings if you hear a screeching noise from the engine when you turn on things like the sound system or heater.
Due to this modern car’s enhanced performance, its alternator’s endurance is between 200k and 300k miles. Despite this, it can get damaged based on how it is used. And if you buy a used vehicle, its alternator is already old. Maintain your vigilance.
A brand new alternator must be installed if the existing one fails. The cost to replace the alternator in a Dodge Charger is estimated to be within $894. The price of components is about $787, while the price of labor is around $107.
03. Starter Motor failure
You’ll need a starter motor to start up your Charger’s engine. Starter motors typically last between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. However, their longevity decreases with more frequent engine starting. Like the rest of the car, the starting motor has a finite lifespan, and when it fails, the engine won’t turn over.
A faulty starting motor in the Charger will make a clicking noise as you press the ignition button for starting. However, if the battery is functioning correctly but the starter still won’t turn over, the problem likely resides with the starter itself.
In most cases, a new starter must be installed if the old one fails. Replacing the starter in a Dodge Charger can cost you an average of $314 to $481. The labor expenses are expected to be around $121, and the materials cost will range from $359.
04. Defective Fuel Pump
Your Charger won’t start if the fuel pump malfunctions. The fuel pump is responsible for transferring fuel from the engine’s tank to the injection system while maintaining the appropriate pressure level.
Check the fuel pump before your Dodge Charger’s engine stops operating if you observe symptoms like frequent engine failure, difficulty starting the vehicle, engine jerking, or gradually declined performance.
The price to replace the fuel pump in a Dodge Charger usually ranges from $609 to $795. The price of labor is predicted to range from $85 to $107, while the cost of parts is around $688.
05. Bad ignition switch
A collection of electrical connections that initiates the starter- the ignition switch, often mounted on the steering wheel column. You probably have a faulty ignition switch if your Charger’s trip computer, radio, turn signals, and wipers stop working, dashboard lights flicker, and the car suddenly stands while driving without showing power loss.
A malfunctioning ignition switch might suddenly turn off a running car engine, creating a severe safety risk on the road. So, if you see that your car’s ignition switch could be faulty, take it in as soon as possible.
Usually, the cost to replace an ignition switch varies by region, car model. and warranty, etc. Dodge Charger’s ignition switch replacement might cost you anything from $130 to $480. The price of labor may range from $60 to $180, and the price of components, from around $70 to $300.
06. Defective spark plugs
Dodge Charger’s spark plugs provide the spark necessary to ignite the air and fuel combination in the engine’s combustion chambers. Continuing to drive with worn-out spark plugs can cause serious harm to your Charger’s catalytic converter or engine. In the worst situation, the machine will not start at all due to the poor condition of the spark plugs.
You’ll need new ones as your Dodge Charger’s spark plugs wear out. For the best performance from the Dodge Charger’s engine, it’s best to use the spark plugs specified for the car’s model year and engine type, so be sure to consult your manual.
On average, replacing the spark plugs in the Dodge Charger may cost approximately $120, with 95$ for servicing charge and $30 for necessary parts.
07. Crankshaft Position Sensor/ P0339 error code
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the crankshaft’s position, speed, and other data crucial to starting the engine. But, malfunction in this sensor, identified as a P0339 error code, may cause problems or make the car unable to start.
If the crankshaft sensor fails, it may soon cause other issues that make driving unsafe. Hence, you should have your car checked out as quickly as possible by a qualified mechanic once crankshaft position sensor failure is detected.
After proper diagnosis, professional technicians will replace the crankshaft position sensor. On average, to replace this sensor, you will need to spend around $135. And the estimated labor costs are within $90, while the price for parts is between $45 and $49.
08. Failure of Camshaft Position Sensor
Does your Dodge Charger turn off when you’re driving? When the camshaft position or cylinder identification sensor degrades, the Engine Control Module switches off the spark and fuel supply which can lead to dangerous circumstances.
However, your Dodge Charger won’t instantly break down if there is an issue with the phase detector. Yet, the overall performance of your car will deteriorate with time.
Once you determine why the phase detector failed, you should take the car to your nearby servicing center to pinpoint the issue. In such a situation, professional mechanics recommend replacing the camshaft position detector, repairing the connector or circuit of the phase detector, or reprogramming the powertrain control module. Fixing a faulty Camshaft position detector generally costs between $160 and $240 (including labor).
What Are the Less Common Starting Problems of Dodge chargers?
01. Bad Ignition coil
As part of the Dodge Charger’s ignition system, the ignition coils increase the 12V battery voltage for the sparking plugs to too many high volts. If you continue to drive your Charger with malfunctioning ignition coils, you may cause extensive damage to the catalytic converter or the engine.
A malfunctioning ignition coil is not repairable and must be swapped out for a brand-new one. But, in exceptional cases, you can restore the ignition coil’s function by cleansing it using an electronic cleaner if it has been polluted because of oil leakage inside the spark plug tube and the boot-end of the ignition coil hasn’t yet pulpy.
However, you should replace the ignition coil on your Charger that shows signs of rust or corrosion. Replacing the Ignition Coil in the Dodge Charger costs around $166, with estimated labor costs of $85 and $59 for parts.
02. Fuel filter
Your Charger’s fuel filter isn’t a mechanical component, but it clogs up with time from exposure to airborne dirt. Due to a decrease in fuel pressure, the filter’s permeability decreases. The engine’s performance may suffer, and, in extreme cases, it may refuse to start when the fuel filter becomes excessively dirty.
Unfortunately, you can’t clean it; all that can be done is to replace the filter. And, for this, on average, you will have to pay from $90 to $207, including labor and parts costs.
03. Distributor cap Failure
Failure of the distributor cap will result in excessive resistance, causing it to be challenging to start the engine. In most cases, the pitting of the contact surface is the root cause of this problem. It may get worn down or rusted if the temperature fluctuates wildly or the atmosphere needs to be better maintained.
If the distributor cap malfunctions, some cylinders won’t get enough spark at the right time. Once you’ve confirmed that your car is dealing with a distributor malfunction, the next step is determining the distributor issue you’re facing.
If the distributor cap is cracked, you should replace it right away. Otherwise, it can increase rough idling. Resolve your corroded, dirt, and grime-clogged-up distributor cap with multi-purpose cleaners. In addition to this, you should replace the loose cap gasket.
If the solutions above fail to resolve your distributor issues, you may need to replace them. The cost may range between $60 and $130 (including labor and material costs), based on who provides the service. The sum cited includes the price of labor as well as the cost of materials.
04. Change in oil level
Maintaining the correct engine oil level is essential to ensuring that its components last as long as possible under the extreme conditions created by heat and pressure.
Dodge Charger has a sensor that reads the oil level and relays that data to the vehicle’s onboard computer. The dashboard’s Low Engine Oil warning light will illuminate as soon as the computer detects that the engine oil is dangerously low.
While having trouble with the sensor that senses a change in the oil level of your Dodge Charger, you should take the help of professional mechanics to replace it. And it will cost you around $122, with a material cost of $27 and a labor charge of $95.
05. Bad Catalytic Converter
Your Charger’s performance may suffer if its catalytic converter gets blocked.
Depending on several conditions, a Charger catalytic converter may last anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 miles or 5 to 10 years.
Replacing the catalytic converter for a Dodge Charger generally costs about $3,221. The price of labor is predicted to range from $126 to $159, with components costing $3,061 to $3,061.
06. Bad carburetor
If you are facing difficulty starting your Dodge Charger with decreased engine performance, a faulty carburetor can be the culprit. It may be possible to repair the carburetor instead of replacing it if rust still needs to set in.
But reconstruction is only sometimes cheap, and it may not even be effective. New carburetors are often available for prices comparable to or even lower than the required rebuilding kit and chemicals.
07. Key fob battery
A dying essential fob battery might prevent your Charger from starting if there is a push button for a start and stop. You may still turn the key in the ignition; the battery merely powers the signal to lock or unlock the car.
When the battery in your key fob dies, the door can’t be locked or unlocked with a single button press. After that, you’ll need to open the doors physically.
If your model of Charger comes with a critical fob patented with a start or stop switch and no key slot, you may start the car by positioning the key fob as closely as possible to the pushbutton.
08. Timing belt Issues
It’s conceivable that the Dodge Charger won’t turn over if the timing belt or chain has snapped, become fully detached, or jumped several teeth. You may hear it smacking around when the engine begins to crank over.
Even if there is no issue with the timing belt of your Dodge Charger, you should replace it followed by a particular service interval, such as the range of 60k to 90k miles. For this, you must pay approximately $390 and $171 for materials, and $218 for service charges.
09. Blown fuse
If your Charger suddenly stops working, a blown fuse might be the problem. Ensure you have checked all fuses in the engine-starting fuse box.
Nonetheless, use extreme caution if you choose to assist yourself with the fuse box. Working with or testing the box while it is powered on is always dangerous and should be carried out in the service center under the supervision of professionals.
Repairing a blown fuse in a Dodge Charger will save you about $99. Pricing might be different for you based on where you are.
10. ECM computer
In most cases, a problem with the ECM may be traced down to a loose connection in the wiring. A breakdown may occur if the conductivity of the wires that provide power to the fuel injector or transmission is affected by corrosion. Changing out the rusted wires with the compatible ones with the Dodge Charger is usually all needed to fix the problem.
The cost of replacing the Engine Computer Unit varies widely based on the model year of the Dodge Charger. Returning with a brand new ECM can average a price from $400 to $2,200.
11. P0562 error code
If you ignore the P0562 error code or low system voltage for longer hours, you will face a dead battery sooner because the electrical system will attempt to function on the inadequate battery charge.
An alternator failure is the most common cause of error code P0562, which you can resolve by simply replacing the alternator.
Why Does Dodge Charger Engine Make Whine Noise Under Hot Idle Conditions?
When idling, a whining sound may start coming from the engine. It occurs after the engine gets warmed up in hot temperatures. Also, it can indicate a lack of oil because of any leakage or jammed valves that need adjustment.
The sound may be coming from the engine’s oil system, which is safe. But, still, you should have a thorough professional inspection to ensure the noise isn’t something to be concerned about.
What to Expect When the Dodge Charger Won’t Start?
Your Dodge Charger can get turned off while driving, or may not begin to, whatever the situation, and you must remain calm. Most people make a mistake by not keeping mechanic tools set which can be helpful in such cases.
You can jump-start the car when your car doesn’t start and leaves you stranded alone with a dead engine. Though it won’t resolve the root cause, it would help you to take the vehicle to any nearest mechanic shop. Or else, you can try to get a tow truck to remove your vehicle from the situation.
Final Thought
For a new driver, finding out why won’t my dodge charger start red lightning bolt can be overwhelming. We have made it easier for you by laying forth every potential explanation. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to take your car to a technician or repair shop.
