I have a 2013 dodge Dart. When I tried starting it this morning all of the gauges went crazy for a second and the engine just clicked. Engine had this happen before?

Asked by blainedion Jan 05, 2014 at 12:29 PM about the 2013 Dodge Dart SXT FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

51 Answers

2,295

What I have found on the Dodge Forum sites. Most of the problems were related to the starting procedure. Try putting in the Key and turn slow wait few seconds then start the engine. Most of the Forums mention a delay in the start system and this is related to the computer ECM. If under warranty bring back to dealer had them do a scan and connect to the ECM unit.

31 people found this helpful.
240

It is for sure a defect in the computer and design. My daughter has been to dealership 4 times the replaced a computer which would have been 3K if you had to buy and the car still does it. Sorry to say now dealer just says we cant recreate the problem even when it is towed and they just clear errors. Sorry to say go trade it is for anything buy dodge and take your losses now or be milked dry later. Just my thought for the day.

24 people found this helpful.
220

When I started my car, randomly the gauges would flicker. It would not do it every time but it did it enough to be concerning. My uconnect had also been out for at least 3 months. I took it to a local auto shop and they said my battery was bad! So with a new battery everything was fixed!! No more clicking and and my unconnect started working!

22 people found this helpful.
180

Had the same problem, replaced the battery and it went away for a while, and now it's returned. I held on to the old battery and I noticed it was still in good shape (reading 12.6 volts) constantly. I have another vehicle that uses the same type of battery and the old Dart battery has been working like a champ. It's not the battery. When I contacted the dealer, the service guy acknowledged they've had several cars in with this same problem but when he found out that the car is few months out of warranty, they changed their tune and acted like they've never heard of it. This tells me it's a big problem and Chrysler/Fiat do not want to acknowledge it to the public or doesn't want their dealers to make it known to their customers.

18 people found this helpful.
80

HannaC any update?...sounds like my car is having the same issue. 2013 Limited Turbo 1.4. Ordered a new battery and it should be in today, I am hoping that is the only problem. I am starting to get nervous reading all these forums :/

8 people found this helpful.
220

My car is having the same problem I had it sent to my drug dealer and they told me is a ignition problem. They told me it is out of warranty so now I’m scared this is going to be an ongoing problem.

22 people found this helpful.
310

Well , I can understand the guy sending to drug dealer & being scared, but dodge Sux down to the Car-tell Paint jobs. New Batt. SELL, MORTAMER SELL!

23 people found this helpful.
310

Well , I can understand the guy sending to"My drug dealer" LOL...& being scared, but dodge Sux down to the Car-tell Paint jobs. GET New Batt. SELL, MORTAMER SELL! NEVER AGAIN DODGE THIS BULLET

8 people found this helpful.
90

I have a 2015 dart and I am so displeased. In the shop at least 2-3 times a year.

9 people found this helpful.
200

My 2013 dart does this but only in the rain.

20 people found this helpful.
70

Ok I have a issue with 2013 dodge dart.... it will start but runs bad and no power 30km per hour is top speed

7 people found this helpful.
90

My 2014 dart has had clutch/transmission issues(on its 4th clutch & 2nd transmission with 49000 miles. It hasn't been out of the shop two weeks & i go to start it , ihear a small click noise as i push the start button and nothing... I notice my instrument panel is dark...no horn, no lights...it must be a fuse...I hope this isnt another tissue because i think the clutch is going again! Dodge does have a buy back prograg! Call their customer service #...in the back of owners manual. Tell them your issues & ask to becontacted by the buy back department. Good luck with your Fart!

9 people found this helpful.
950

It’s been 4 years and NO ONE still answered this question, wtf it’s just “Go to the dealership”. Its a SIMPLE GROUND WIRE that does this problem thats located on the front rail. I’m not sure how to fix it yet, but that is 100% the problem. Same problem with my ‘13 Dart it clicks when I start it. 3 months before all this happen my UConnect Bluetooth won’t connect. I Thought it was a battery, wasted money and bought a new battery. Fixed it for a month, and it happen again started clicking when starting. I thought it was the alternator not charging the battery but every time my car sits every thing wants to work like the battery is fine. Only when I try to start it continuesly that’s when it seems to “drain the battery”. GROUND WIRE! GROUND WIRE! GROUND WIRE!!!

70 people found this helpful.
70

Big clay did you figure out where its located and how to fix this problem?

7 people found this helpful.
60

2016 Dodge Dart Same flickering on all gauges on start up.

6 people found this helpful.
20

Same issue 2014 2.4l sxt changed the Throttle position sensor, which is the whole accelerator pedal in this car. No fix.

2 people found this helpful.
30

2013 dodge dart here. if i let the car sit over the weekend without starting it, the battery will be dead. it has been happening for years. i have had everything looked at multiple times. The dealer is a joke. cant even pop the trunk because the battery is so DEAD.

3 people found this helpful.
950

ANSWER: CHECK YOUR POSITIVE (RED CABLE) BATTERY CABLE, MAY BE LOOSE!! -I WIGGLED MINES AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND HAS BEEN RUNNING GREAT EVER SINCE AND NOW MY BLUETOOTH IS BACK ALSO

20 people found this helpful.
360

I have had many of your guys problems. I have the unfortunate pleasure of owning a 2013 Dodge Dart SXT 2.0L engine. I have found with most battery problems that deal with dodge you need to replace the fuse on the battery terminal the 200A one. Diagram of it here: https://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/attachments/dodge- dart-general-discussion/102754d1507491072-2015-dodge- dart-2-4l-new-alternator-new-battery-fuses-good-why-not- charging-batteryfuseterminal.jpg, I have found the 90% plus problems with my car are fuse related. I am currently troubleshooting the no click, no start, no power when I try to turn on my car. I get power for a moment then as I try to start the car I loose all power completely. I will update with my findings.

36 people found this helpful.
150

Any real answer to this? I have had to jump my car every other day for 2 weeks. Finally wont start this morning with the starter connected... battery reads good so does alternator... POS car has been trouble since day one.

9 people found this helpful.
180

Same issue with my 2013. Bluetooth went first. Then remote start. Then interior lights. Then trunk is popping open on its own. Then driver side window, Now it has a hesitated start with flickering gauges. Got it scanned and it throws a code for throttle position sensor. Changed that nothing happened. The electrical problems in this car are beyond my knowledge of repair. I still owe payments on this stupid thing

18 people found this helpful.
80

I am having this same issue with my 2016 dart sxt, tried to start it this morning and the gauges flicked but wont turn over. all the lights work, radio works, and all that jazz but wont start. Tried to use my jumper and the jumper would not even register that it was attached to the battery. anyone have an answer to this?

8 people found this helpful.
150

Get your battery tested. Mine was dead even though the lights worked, radio worked, and gauges spazzed.

6 people found this helpful.
100

Wow! Hating reading all of this. 2016 Dart SE *Limited Avail*. Started the gauge jumping on start last week. Now jumping off every other start. One scenario - it would not crank (all gauges jumping). Put a battery charger on it, and it said "Lo". Left on for about 15 minutes and it went to fully charged. Cranked fine for about a day and half (with the gauges jumping). I guess I'll see what my mechanic says in the morning. I wouldn't take a radio flyer to a Dodge dealership.

4 people found this helpful.
60

It’s the battery everyone. Lights flickering, won’t start, or no lights at all on the dash. Prolly a bad cell in the battery. I literally just now fixed mine.

6 people found this helpful.
100

Yes. It is the battery. Even though Advance said it was OK on their tester. It was not! New Duracraft battery (bought at Advance : ) and problem is gone.

6 people found this helpful.
30

Mine has started to do the same thing. I have a 2016 dodge dart. It's not consistent but its becoming more of an issue. Go to crank the car and it seems like it has an issue cranking, all the lights flash on the dashboard. I had an oil change about a month ago and the alternator and battery read came back good.

3 people found this helpful.
60

Put car in neatrul and rock it back and forth see if it starts

6 people found this helpful.
20

Idk but I just bought a 2015 dodge dart six weeks ago and 5 times already been to the dealership they can't find anything wrong it doesn't turn on in the morning a few times out of the week so disappointed

2 people found this helpful.
50

I bought a 2013 dart in January 2019 and within 3 months the gauges and battery did the same thing. It was finally diagnosed as my body control module being bad and a shirt in my hood latch assembly. Everything is fixed and working great now. My Bluetooth module was also bad so the phone didn't connect the end result to fix all 3 including the programming was just under $1300. Through dodge in Stockton CA

5 people found this helpful.
60

It’s not the battery. Mine is brand new. 2013 dart. Been having this starting issues since I bought it. They tried to blame it on the cable brushing recall but it kept happening after that. I got a fault code that said my autostick wasn’t available but I got the sensor replaced that went with that and it still does it. I think it’s some wiring issue but I get other wiring problems with this hunk of junk.

6 people found this helpful.
10

I’ve found it I turned off the daytime running lights and interior accent lights, the problem goes away. Also, I’ve noticed the dash lights would occasionally remain on very faintly. Hopefully this is a way to avoid needing a jump. I recently turned on the accent lights and drl and the issue resurfaced.

1 people found this helpful.
30

Currently trying to get to the bottom of this issue on my 2013 2.0L SE. Anyone ever get to the bottom of it?

3 people found this helpful.
80

The definite, 100% sure fix is: SELL THAT P.O.S. DODGE AND GET ANYTHING...EXCEPT A FIAT, ALFA ROMEO OR OTHER FIAT/CHRYSLER VEHICLE. Otherwise you will continue to experience the painful reality that dodge doesn't care about how crappy their products are once they have sold one to you. I got lucky and my 2014 GT spazzed out & ran itself into a powerline pole(long story but the car was possessed) and was deemed 'totalled'. Driving a nice and dependable car now. Good luck with those dodge farts! Could have been a really nice car with a little effort from the manufacturer.

8 people found this helpful.
20

couple months ago my dart 2016 2.4 start open de trunk almost with just look the control And some time blinked to start. Last Monday I'm fueling gas it doesn't start more, I replaced the run start relay, put a new battery, call a mechanic to test the starter he recommended a electrician in a phone call he recommended make a new key copy and reprogramming the old one, anything works ‍♂️, the key guy said could be or the body control or the computer

2 people found this helpful.
50

same problem. thru lots of reading andbattery replacement and yet now the problem ten months later glad I found this site it has the most complaints on this. ground wire in the trunk for the one guy but I believe it's computer problem like suggested. this 2.4 engine gets real hot and I think they rushed it off assembly too fast and leaving us stuck with the. problems so they could get their bonus. my next option is to see a tech teacher can pinpoint it fingers crossed he'll help

4 people found this helpful.
50

Hey first time ever got reading, mind u had it at dealership 2 weeks ago for recall throttle cable thingy. now 2 weeks later reading said "engine warming wait to start" wtf... its not diesel also notice my steering wheel is not locking which that of course can cause problem. pls let know if anyone notices if their st. wheel doing same.

1 people found this helpful.
70

random starting problems on my 2013 dart changed battery went away for a month or so. came by left wife stranded, Bad News for me, troubleshot problem found 200 amp fuse partially b;own battery only getting 10 volt from alternator out put of alternator was good . changed 200 fuse, voltage to battery good now. input of fuse to ground while car is running then read output side of fuse I showed over a 2 volt drop. fuse cost $3.99 battery was $139 lesson learned hope this helps

7 people found this helpful.

SAME THING ABOUT GAUGES AND OUR DART NOT WANTING TO START WITH A NEW BATTERY! ONE THING I NOTICED IS THERE'S A MINIATURE LIGHTENING STORM ACROSS THE VARIOUS TERMINALS ON THE POSITIVE + BATTERY TERMINAL. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TERMINALS ON THE POSITIVE SIDE??? I REALLY DON'T KNOW BUT THEY ARE ARCING ACROSS EACH OTHER ,,,SOMETIMES BIG SPARKS TOO. I TOLD MY WIFE WE'RE TRADING THIS POS IN ASAP! i HAVE A CHRYSLER PACIFICA AND NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EVER EXISTED. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING AS GASSES FROM BATTERIES CAN EXPLODE OR IGNITE.. MY WIFE DROVE IT TO TOWN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD NO ISSUES BUT I EXPECT THEM SOON AFTER READING OTHER POSTS ON THIS SITE.

10

2013 dodge dart, wasent cranking over occasionally and finally not at all. Replaced the battery and it was perfect for 25 hours then it was taking a bit to start again. Also when it would start the amount of raw gas fumes you can smell is overpowering. Comes right in the car. If I turn the key partially and let the fuel pump kick in and prime the engine it seems to start properly about 80% of the time. My brothers opinion is that it's a dead spot in the starter or a loose connection somewhere bc it's not consistent. He hooked his reader up to the car n nothing was showing abnormal. Its winter and I'm a single mom with a toddler so I'm terrified about it. Wish I could trade it in...

1 people found this helpful.
10

I also have problems sometimes trying to get the key out of the ignition.

1 people found this helpful.

Thk u my problems arent so bad. Sorry but if this car acts up I told guy I bought it from it will be returned in a not so nice manner :) I'll sit in jail before I sink money into any car :) Good Luck Folks

30

Got a 2013 Dodge Dart and this car should be branded as lemon

3 people found this helpful.
50

Ok so my car won’t start it flickers like crazy and then it says service transmission but I’ve had it tested and have been told it’s the battery the trans is fine so I’ve gone through 5 batteries and it works for a bit and now I’m stranded stuck cars doing all this 2013 Dodge Dart. Also I’ve taken it in for them to tell me it’s the battery cable so I get that replaced and still same issue I need help please

5 people found this helpful.

I have a 16 Dodge Dart SXT. Had it about 3 years. No issues, everything has been perfect. I am in and out of my car all day. The other day, it was afternoon, I went to go to the store, turned the key, it just clicked. Tried a couple more times. Just clicked. We put a code reader on it just to see. Had no warning lights on or anything. Came back with a steering wheel sensor. There's a couple I believe, so I don't remember exactly which one it was. So my hubs jiggled the wheel and it started right up. So at this point, we're thinking ok, gonna have to get this sensor replaced. I drove it to and from the store that night and on and off the next day. Still having to turn the wheel back and forth to crank it. Well later that afternoon, I'm sitting at a red light. My AC starts dimming in and out. Almost like my car was trying to die, but just the AC. My car felt like it was running normal. So at this point, what would my ac dimming in and out have to do with the steering wheel sensor? Surely its just one issue with my car and not stole domino effect. So we change the battery out. Now everything is back to running perfectly, EXCEPT..... now my check engine light is on. Hoping its just an error from changing the battery and just needs to be reset. Gotta put the reader back on it when I get a chance. But thought I'd post here with info just in case anyone else has had this issue or similar. I will defintely update when i find out for sure. Praying its just as simple as the battery and an error code!!

20

Don't really have an answer, but a question. I have a 2014 Dart, been driving it since new, never a problem. I have 141,000 miles on it. It's a 5 speed stick. The gauge cluster lights stay on very dim after I shut it off. The battery was dead this morning. What could cause the dash lights to be slightly on?

2 people found this helpful.
10

Assuming no way to fix this issue... My 2016 will flicker, but after the 3rd-4th attempt it will finally start. Happens multiple times a day for the last 2 weeks. Always starts, just takes a few attempts

1 people found this helpful.

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