1991 Dodge Shadow Starting Diagnosis

The Dodge Shadow made its first debut in 1987 and was intended to replace the Charger and the Omni. Diagnosing a starting problem with the 1991 Dodge Shadow is a relatively simple procedure, if you have a rudimentary understanding of electrical current. It is important to understand that an alternator can overheat in an effort to recharge a seriously depleted battery. The battery should be charged with an external charger first. A battery that has a bad cell, which is a common occurrence as they age, will lead to a misdiagnosis of an alternator problem because it will not show the correct charging voltage. This situation will also destroy an alternator because it will cause the alternator to overheat in an effort to charge a defective battery.

Instructions

1

Check the voltage at the battery by connecting the voltmeter red lead to the positive and the black lead to the negative terminals on the battery. There should be 12.3 to 12.7 volts. If the voltage is under 11 volts, charge the battery before continuing.

2

Check the integrity of the cells within the battery by using the carbon pile battery tester to check for amperage output. Remove the voltmeter and connect the carbon pile with the red lead to positive and black lead to negative on the battery. Observe the voltage display in the window while pressing the red button for 10 seconds. If the voltage drops below 10 volts or disappears altogether the battery is bad. If it does not, the battery is good.

There is an alternate way to check the cells in the battery although not as accurate, it will show a battery with a bad cell. Connect the voltmeter across the battery terminals with the red lead on the positive terminal and the black lead on the negative terminal. Watch the voltage display closely while a helper starts the car. If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts when the starter is engaged the battery has a bad cell because the amperage has dropped to quickly, displayed in terms of voltage drop.

3

Remove the carbon pile from the battery. Check the battery terminals for excessive corrosion or looseness and correct as necessary by cleaning and re-tightening the cable terminals. Check the voltage at the starter solenoid, which is located atop the starter. The solenoid on a 91 Shadow will have two large terminals and two small terminals. The top large terminal is the connection point for the cable from the battery. The large one beneath it is the solenoid to starter motor post. The small terminals are marked "I" and "S" but the only one used in this case is the "S" terminal. This terminal is for the wire from the ignition switch. Connect the voltmeter black lead to any good ground either on the engine or battery negative terminal. Use the red lead to probe the large wire connecting point on the solenoid. There should be 12.5 volts or higher. If the voltage is low or nonexistent, either the battery positive cable or battery terminal is bad.

4

Open the fuse and relay box on the driver's side fender well. Check the starter fuse and replace if necessary.

5

Check the ignition source of power to the starter solenoid. This is the wire from the ignition switch that activates the solenoid when in the start position. Keep the voltmeter black lead on a good ground. Probe the small wire on the solenoid located on the S terminal with the red voltmeter lead while a helper holds the key in the start position. There should be 12 plus volts temporarily as long as the helper holds the key in start. If no voltage was present, the ignition switch is bad. If there was voltage the starter is bad.