2000 Dakota starter system help

[YY1]

Last week my Dakota failed to start.

It just clicks, but the clicking is coming from the center of the cowl area, under the wipers.

The starter is reasonably new (about 1.5 years).

I took the battery home and put it in my D-150, where it cranked the 440 with no problem.
(after trying to start the Dakota for about 30 min)

The last time this happened, it was a bad ground connection at the AC compressor.
(from the last time I replaced the water pump) That connection if fine now.

Does anyone know what's up in the cowl area?

Thanks.

 

[70chall440]

I do not remember anything electrical (starter related) in that area

 

[Hey-O]

purge solenoid is on the firewall, but it will click usually when running. Double check the battery, just because it seems to work in your other vehicle doesn't mean it will in your Dakota, they're weird like that. Double check the ground from the firewall to the engine. Make sure it's not to long and hitting anything else. I owned a 2000 quad cab and the relay box by the fender has many parts in it that cause it to malfunction in many weird ways.

 

[YY1]

I had a 93 previous to the 2000 and the computer board had bad solder joints.

It would just stop running.

I had to remove the connector and flex the board to get it running.

...or buy a $600 new computer.

 

[YY1]

other than that, it was a good truck.

 

[YY1]

I have a brand new Exide to try.

The first Exide deep cycle I bought finally crapped out.
Date code is 2012.

Can't argue with 8 years out of a 5 year battery.

 

[YY1]

OK, not the battery.

Brand new Exide in Dakota- no crank, same clicking.

Put older Exide in Satellite (without charging it) and drove around all afternoon on several short trips.

Tomorrow I will try jumping the solenoid.

 

[YY1]

...and the winner is-

Hey-O

Pulled the starter and tested good.

Had 12v at solenoid connection.

Put back together and jumped - batt to AC ground- no start

Jumped - batt to firewall ground- START!

Jumped firewall ground to AC ground- START!


That firewall ground looks cheesy. thin gauge wire on a thin, painted stud.
Could not locate other end but seemed tight.

I found a length of what looks like #8 or #6 that already had ring terminals on each end in my stash.
It was the perfect length to go from the firewall ground to the AC ground.
Looks like it's supposed to be there.