2011 dodge journey no crank no start

Dodge Journey Not Starting: Causes + How to Fix

If your Dodge Journey doesn’t start, you’ve found the right article.  Many different issues can cause the problem.  We cover all the likely ones in an order that makes sense when diagnosing the issue at home.

This article is written with the assumption that you are looking for a way to get your Dodge Journey started now, and is meant to provide you with practical advice to help aid in the diagnosis.

First, is your Journey cranking over at all (the engine spins when you turn the key?  Or is the starter not engaging (you may hear a clicking sound)?

Table of Contents

Engine Not Cranking

Engine cranking, no start.

Here are the most common reasons why the Dodge Journey won’t start when the engine is not cranking .

1.  Battery Cables

Start by taking a look at the battery posts.  If they are loose or corroded, it acts as a barrier that can keep the starter from getting the voltage it needs to crank the engine.

If there appears to be green or white on them or the terminals, cleaning them may be what your Journey needs to get back on the road.

Here’s a good article from Napa on properly cleaning a battery terminal.

2.  Low Battery Voltage

As your vehicle’s battery ages, its cranking amperage decreases, leaving it with a diminished capacity for starting the engine.  Your Journey needs 12+ volts to start its engine .  

You can take your battery to the local parts store or even Walmart and have it tested to see if it still holds a charge.  

Alternatively, you can test the battery yourself with a voltage meter.  If the battery is in the vehicle and it’s under 12 volts, it’s likely bad unless your vehicle has been sitting for a while or something is drawing current.

If the battery is dead, it either isn’t storing enough voltage or it isn’t charging enough.

A bad alternator can cause your battery to drain to the point it can’t turn your Journey over. Suspect the alternator if the battery light stays on after charging your vehicle’s battery or jumping it.

3.  Starter Motor

The next thing to look at when your Journey isn’t starting would be the starter itself.  When the starter isn’t functioning, it is impossible to start your vehicle. 

A bad starter can make a clicking noise, no noise, or it can grind.  

When a starter goes bad, they will usually not give you much warning at first. Try repeatedly turning the key. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and it’ll “catch”.  

Or, you can beat the starter with a hammer. It really can get that one last start out of it.

Here are the common issues that can cause your Journey to crank but not start.  Your vehicle’s engine needs air, fuel, and a spark to run.

It is highly likely that if the engine is cranking but not starting that it has thrown an OBDII code. Use an OBDII scanner to check and see if the engine has thrown any trouble codes.  

The codes will likely be related to the potential issues listed below.  When applicable, we’ve listed the common trouble code(s) associated with the cause.

1.  Low Fuel Pressure

If your Journey isn’t getting enough fuel, or any fuel at all, it may have a bad fuel filter or a bad fuel pump .  Without the proper amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber, the Journey will crank but not start.

2.  Ignition Issues

One of the most significant issues that will cause a vehicle to crank but not start are ignition issues.  When there is no spark, the engine will not start.  You’ll probably have a misfire-related code such as P0300 , P0301, etc…

Many things, including bad spark plugs, bad coil packs, bad plug wires, computer issues, and more, can cause ignition issues. It’s likely your Journey had a rough idle before

3.  Engine Timing

If the engine’s ability to fire the spark plug at the right time is called “timing”.  If the spark plugs are firing at the wrong time, or something has happened to cause the camshaft to no longer be in sync with the crankshaft, your Journey won’t start.

There will usually be OBDII codes associated with timing-related problems, but not always.  P0013 is a common camshaft position-related code.  The crankshaft sensor can go bad as well.  When these sensors go bad, it can be impossible for your Journey to start.

4. Security

Most modern vehicles come with smart keys that have electronic protection built in.  This makes it more challenging for thieves to steal them.  

There are occasions where this security system will cause the Journey not to start, such as the key fob not working.  You’ll see a security warning when trying to crank the engine, though. 

5. Metering

MAF or MAP sensors measure the air entering your Journey’s engine.  If one of them has gone bad, it can cause the air-fuel mixture to be off enough to cause the vehicle not to start.

6.  Other Issues

There are a lot of issues that can cause your Journey not to start.  That’s why it is so important to check everything.  Here’s a great diagnostic chart that can walk you through diagnosing why a vehicle won’t start. 

Conclusion:  Dodge Journey Not Starting

There are many reasons that your Journey may not start.  Simple tests such as checking the battery with a voltage meter or scanning it with an OBD II scanner can really narrow down your list of potential causes.

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power, no crank/start, no codes

By jamacfar February 24, 2023 in Electrical, Battery & Charging

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2010 JC SXT 3.5l V6 FWD ~86K miles

Turn the key to RUN, dash lights etc work. Try to start and get nothing, no clicks or anything.

The battery was at least 4 years old, so replaced that. Same results.

Hooked up my OBD scanner w/ AlfaOBD, and it is saying no codes present. Don't know how to use it to really make use of it beyond that. Hopefully didn't erase everything by replacing the battery?

Tried starting in N, tried jiggling the steering wheel.

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My first inclination is a bad starter. If you can pull it out you can take it in to get tested. Other than that, make sure your ground wire has a good, clean connection. If there are codes, they usually don't pop up unless you can get the car started (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so no codes will pop up in just the run position. Guess it could also be the starter relay.

John/Horace

Cleaning main grounds always a good idea in rust belt areas.  OBD codes aren’t stored for a bad starter, just sensor issues.  Any security light flashing on dash ? If chipped key try using the other key if you have it.  Remove heat shield from starter, give it a few medium taps with mallet; if it starts you probably  have solenoid contacts issue, new or rebuilt starter needed.

The moveable contacts shown on relay can be jumpered. Bypasses park/neutral switch and key security and dash switches all together. Narrows it down to just starter assembly. 

Fixed it; was the starter relay.

I jumpered the relay as shown here:

The starter engaged fine. There was a radiator fan relay that is the exact same there near the starter relay, so I popped it out and replaced the starter relay with it. Car started fine, so I went and got a new one, put the radiator fan relay back where it belongs, and put the new one in the starter relay spot. Car starts up, and everything seems fine.

Here is the fuse/relay box under the hood looking at if from the driver's side fender:

All of the relays circled in green are the exact same model. You can see where I have already replaced the Starter Relay, and I marked the relay that I used to test it.

• 2late4u and John/Horace

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10 Reasons the engine cranks but won't start

Research common problems with your make, year and model, 1. engine is flooded, 2. bad fuse, main relay, fuel pump or other relay, 3. bad fuel pump, 4. failed high-pressure fuel pump, 5. failed mass air flow sensor.

6. Bad crank or cam sensor or sensor wiring

7. dirty throttle body after replacing the battery, 8. faulty ignition coil pack, 9. incorrect engine timing, 10. low compression in the engine, related articles:.

Starter motor, starting system: how it works, problems, testing

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• Dodge Journey

2011 Dodge Journey 3.6L Crank No Start

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I've been trying to research similar issues as I'm having with a friends Journey. They originally had the vehicle towed to a small shop to diagnose for an overheating issue, the mechanic there had said that they hadn't found any problems with the cooling system. He then apparently went out to start the car the next day and all it would do was crank. After almost 2 months of sitting I try diagnosing and pull the codes with P0153, P0430, P0440, P0456, and P0457. All of which I dont see causing a crank no start. So I checked the fuel coming from the tank and verified that there was plenty of pressure and fuel coming to the rail. I did take a sample of the fuel and that was some perty Rank E-85! I took the VIN to the local dealer and asked for any relatable TSB's or Special Service Messages and they said there were none. Other than an issue with the battery being drained/Low on juice is there any common issues anyone has seen with the Crank No Start?  

Welcome to Allpar. Be aware that you can have great fuel pressure, but if the injectors aren't squirting, you will still have no fuel to the cylinders. Try spraying a shot of carb or throttle body solvent into the air intake of the throttle body and see if it fires up briefly. That way you would know that you have spark, have enough compression and valve timing close enough that it would support combustion, but no injector 'on' sequence.  

Thank you for the recommendation! I tried starting it with the carb cleaner/brake clean and had no luck! I looked a bit further into it and have found I do have a crankshaft speed, one of the camshafts is turning as well (Only because I can see it through the oil fill tube) do I know that. I attempted to verify cam and crank sync, but because of a low battery I'm unable to until tomorrow!  

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Home » Troubleshooting » Dodge Journey makes clicking noise and won’t start – causes and how to fix it

Dodge Journey makes clicking noise and won’t start – causes and how to fix it

Dodge Journey making clicking noise when attempting to start the engine is a fairly common problem when it comes to no-crank starting issues, and can be easily fixed in the majority of cases.

The most common causes for clicking noise and no crank in Dodge Journey are weak battery, corrosion on battery terminals, poor starter electrical connection, bad ground connection, and faulty starter motor.

1. Weak battery

The leading cause of clicking noise and no start in Dodge Journey is weak battery. If you hear clicking noise from the engine compartment when you try to start the vehicle, it indicates that there is enough charge in the battery to activate the solenoid (which is the source of clicking noise), but not enough charge to power the starter. The starter motor requires high electric current to turn over the engine, whereas lights and wipers take very little current to operate – so don’t rule out weak battery even if electrical accessories work normally in your Journey.

Flickering dashboard lights, rapid clicking noise

Another symptom of weak battery in Journey is flickering dashboard lights and/or rapid clicking noise when you try to start the engine. If there isn’t enough charge in the battery to power the starter motor, and you try to crank the engine, the battery voltage will get so low that it can’t properly power the lights, accessories and of-course the starter. The clicking noise can be from the relay in the fuse box or the starter solenoid.

Symptom: Rapid clicking sound

How to test the battery in journey.

The easiest method to check the 12v battery in Journey is by measuring the voltage with a multimeter. A healthy battery should have 12.6 volts or more when fully charged. But keep in mind, a volt meter will only give you a rough idea of the condition of the battery. Sometimes a battery showing over 12.4 volts may not be able to supply enough current to crank the engine.

Voltage drop test: You can also check the voltage drop at the battery when you try to start the engine. If the voltage drops too much, below 10 volts, your battery doesn’t have enough charge to start the engine. This can happen due to internal degradation of the battery, if the vehicle has been sitting for a long time, or if the alternator in your Journey has malfunctioned and not charging the battery properly.

How to jump start Journey

To rule out dead battery, your best course of action is to jump start your Journey using jumper cables and a healthy battery from another vehicle, or using a battery booster if available. Requirements: The engine of both the vehicles should be off, and the transmission in Park.

• Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery in Journey.
• Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of donor battery.
• Connect the black cable to the negative terminal of donor battery.
• Finally connect the other end of the black cable to any bare unpainted metal part of the body or engine of your Journey. Safety warning: Connecting black cable directly to the negative terminal of Journey battery can ignite flammable gases from the battery due to sparks.
• Start your Journey.
• Remove the cables in the reverse order.

Warning: There is always a risk of burning up the alternator or other electrical components if the engine of the donor battery vehicle is running during jump start. Therefore it is recommended to keep the engine of the donor vehicle off when jump starting your Journey.

Recommended video

2. Poor battery connection

It is possible the battery in your Dodge Journey is in good health, but the current flow is interrupted due to loose electrical connection, a broken wire, or corrosion on the battery terminals.

Corrosion on battery terminals

Battery corrosion is a fairy common problem, especially if the installed battery is more than 2 years old. Corrosion occurs when the battery acid reacts with the metal terminals which can lead to loss of contact and reduced current flow. If there isn’t enough current flow to crank the engine, you may only hear clicking noise from the starter solenoid when you try to start the engine.

Check battery terminals

To know if your Journey starting problems are from dirty battery terminals, you need to investigate them. Lift the plastic covers over the terminals and check for any signs of corrosion. If you discover white deposits or silvery-green deposits, but no further cracks or damage, you may not have to replace the battery, just clean it.

Clean the battery terminals

Quick cleaning: There is a neat little trick with which you can clean corrosion on the battery terminals of your Journey in under a minute. Pour hot boiling water over the corroded terminals and the corrosion will just melt away. Do one terminal at a time and don’t let water puddle on the top of the battery touch both terminals at the same time, this can short the battery.

Thorough cleaning: To thoroughly clean the battery in your Dodge Journey, you have to remove the terminal cables first, which requires no special knowledge, just a little concentration, as the order is very important. First remove the black cable from the negative terminal using a wrench or a plier. Next you can unplug the red positive terminal cable. Be careful not to touch both terminals with your metal tool, it will be one expensive mistake. Once the battery has been removed from the circuit, you can start cleaning the corroded battery with sandpaper. After cleaning, reconnect the cables in reverse order, positive first, then negative.

3. Poor starter electrical connection

After you’ve ruled out battery issues, it is time to investigate the power cable for the starter motor and its connections from the battery to the starter motor in Journey. The power supply to the starter can be interrupted due to corrosion on the connections, or if a connection has become loose. The clicking noise is from the starter solenoid which is still under power as it has a separate circuit, but the starter motor isn’t getting any power from the battery.

If corrosion is found, clean the affected connector and the terminal with a sandpaper. Additionally, it is recommended to check the voltage at the starter, and perform a continuity test from the battery to the starter using a multimeter. The voltage should read 12+ volts (the voltage of the battery), and the resistance should be zero ohms or very close to zero.

Rodent damage

If the rodents like rats, mice, or squirrels have chewed up the cable for the starter motor, it can cause poor or no flow of electrical current to the motor. Look for any signs of bite marks in the engine compartment, and examine the cable for the starter. If the cable has been damaged, replace it with a new one.

4. Bad ground connection

What is a ground connection.

The negative terminal of the battery is connected to the body/chassis of Journey, called a ground connection. The engine also requires a ground connection to function, but the way the engine is mounted, it does not allow the electric current to flow between the engine and the body (due to non-conductive rubber insulated engine mounts). For this purpose, a ground strap/wire is used to connect the engine and the chassis.

What happens when the ground connection goes bad?

If the ground connection of the chassis or the engine goes bad in your Journey due to rust or corrosion, you will face all sorts of electrical issues, including clicking noises and no start problem. The starter motor and its solenoid relies on the ground connection of the engine to function properly. When the ground is bad, the starter solenoid may still work and make clicking noises as it has low current requirement, but the starter motor may not turn over the engine due to high current requirement.

How to check if the ground connection is good?

You can check the quality of the ground connection in Journey by doing a conductivity test between the negative terminal of the battery and the engine. Take a multimeter, change its settings to ohms symbol. Touch one probe to the negative terminal of the battery, and the other probe to any exposed metal part of the engine. The reading should be at or very close to zero ohms. Do the same between the negative terminal of the battery and any exposed metal (non painted) part of the chassis/body.

Inspect the ground connections

If the conductivity test fails, check the condition of the ground connections in your Journey. Inspect the connectors of the ground cables (battery to body, body to engine) for any signs of rust or corrosion. Clean the contacts with a sandpaper.

5. Bad starter motor

If the starter motor in Journey has developed a defect and is unable to crank the engine, you will only hear clicking noises from the starter solenoid when you try to start the engine.

Temporary fix

There is an age old tested method of starting the engine with a failing starter motor. Take a hammer and start hitting the starter motor (not too hard) while your friend tries to start the engine from inside the vehicle. This workaround is effective when the parts inside the starter are stuck together or the gears are slightly out of alignment. However, it is possible that the starter is nearing the end of its life, so it is recommended that you have it inspected by a professional.

6. Engine failure

In very rare cases, a seized engine can cause no start and clicking noise in Journey. In this case, the engine won’t crank and you will hear a single click from the starter solenoid when you try to start the engine. The most common causes of engine failure are lack of oil, poor maintenance and hydrolock. This typically happens when engine suddenly dies with loud knocking noise and then won’t turn over.

There are many reasons why your Dodge Journey makes clicking noise and won’t start. When looking for the reason, you should start with the most obvious causes that are easy to diagnose: weak battery, and poor electrical connection.

In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the no crank issue for you.

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