My car died and it wont start

Question

my car(1997 Dodge neon 2.0 DOHC) died about a month ago, first time it just turned off as i was driving, i just turned it back on no prob also the oil indicator was lit. second time wouldnt start, battery indicator was flashing, i went back to the location with jumber cables but wasnt neccesery, somehow it just started, just took more time. next day as i was coming in to work it died again it but it wont start this time, wen i try to crank it nothing happens the battery indicator lights and all the dashboard lights start flashing and i hear a flickering noise, so i thing jumper cables. i hook them up let it charge a bit this time it cranks but still no start(sometimes it does start but it just dies seconds latr, as i give it fuel), battery indicator lights but no flickering. its not the battery cause i repl it, fuel is getting to the eingine (tested it by taking the cap off the fuel manifold) could it be the generator or battery cables, just want another opinion, right now im thinkin in taking the gen. off and testing it, just asking if im goin in the right direction

Answer 1

The battery is what gives you the amperage to start and run all the electrical systems on the vehicle, the alternator charges the battery and keeps it charged after starting. I would look closely at the battery cables and make sure they are clean and tight. A loose cable will cause a no crank , put usually will cause a total system failure ( no lights, no crank) The positive and negative cables must be secure and tight at all connections, if either are loose you will have issues. PCM may have codes, common to see  issues with power distribution center behind battery.

Answer 2

Check your alternator and/ or battery.

Answer 3

Get a new car.

Answer 4

with what all you have mentioned id take the alternator and have it tested then recheck all the battery connections all the way to the starter,with it dieing out like that as soon as it starts means it could be the alternator,the battery supplies voltage to start it with then the alternator supplies the voltage needed to run it on,if either the battery or the alternator is acting up it can cause it to do this,auto zone will check the alternator and the battery free of charge so will advance auto,low voltage will cause on to shut down like that,also check the wires at the power distribution center ,they have been know to cause similar problems,good luck.

Answer 5

first things first. remove battery cable connectors, and clean the inside of the clamps wel with a small wire brush. Then clean off the terminals. Then hook cables back up and see wat happens with a jump. Have all electrical options and accessories shut off when you do this. This means the radio A/C, everything you can turn off. If nothing happens, other one click, each time you turn the key, you have then narrowed it down to starter or solenoid. If your solenoid is mounted on the starter, as most cars are these days, you can take a tire iron and give the solenoid a not too subtle wrap with the iron and try it again. If all you get is another single click when you turn the key, you should check into replkacing your solenoid. From your thorough noteds, it sounds as though you are not getting a full spark to the coil, this is why I suggest you thoroughly clean the cables and connectors first. If this does nothing, I would take a batery out of another car and install directly into yours. Sounds elementary but i have seen it happen where a plate in a battery has fallen over and shorts out the battery, and the battery tested good at the shop! If all of this produces nothing, the cheapest route would be to take it to a shop that can connect the computer to it and see what type error code you get. Don't have to have the work done there, as that would be expensive, but it would be worth $50 to find out the trouble and then know how to remedy it.