ponch326

With my issue , it turned out to be the small plastic connector that gets attached at the starter , not the whole wire , just the stupid little plastic connector . There was a faulty batch of them in the early Journeys . It’s a cheap part , but labor intensive to fix

I started this thread , and if you read all of the posts , you will see that my starting issues were due to a faulty connector at the starter . Hope it helps some out there . I had the connector replaced , no issues since ( at least not with that )

Hey, I created this feed , due to a starting problem that turned out to be a bad factory connector to the starter . But here’s a trick that might help , the one thing that you can check with the battery in ,is the alternator ... with the engine running, Carefully disconnect the positive battery cable .... if the engine stops , then your alternator is toast, if it runs fine then the alt is good .

Still problem free , that fixed the problem

Hey Dee , I hope you read my whole thread , my intermittent problem turned out to be the wire connector on the starter . I haven't had a problem since fixing . If it happens again , try shaking the wire going to the starter , it may start , if it starts , its the connector , these connectors are cheap and defective in some cases. I think if the neutral safety switch doesn't work , it will not be intermittent. But check into this before committing time and money . I think these vehicles are called Journey's because of what you have to do to fix them . It was definitely a journey. Good luck

Ok .. I gave up and brought it to a dealership . Told them what I knew and they quickly found the problem . It was the wire connector for the starter. I was close , just had the wrong end. It was a $35 part and they charged me over $500 to replace it. I hope this helps the next person with this problem, just a faulty connector. It's nice to be able to drive it again. Thanks to everyone who tried to help .

I was wrong , the car is acting up again , cleaned the wire connections again but doesn't make a difference. Power seems to go everywhere except the starter . I am not happy .

Eureka .. I think I have figured it out ... I tried starting it yesterday and it would not turn over again , so I tried boosting it .. as soon as I connected the cables I could hear a definite draw on the other car . Meaning that my New battery was not working. It turned over and it started no problem .. so I checked grounds and cables and realized the stupid cable system on the firewall. The positive post seems good but the negative post is very badly designed. The post has two steel nuts with wire connectors sandwiched between them . One of which goes to the starter. The nuts and connectors had some corrosion. I removed the inside nut and replaced with a brass bushing for now , ( I will probably replace that with a copper nut and dielectric grease ) . I sanded the surfaces and reinstalled the wires and one steel nut . It seems to be starting fine now. I believe the current was going to the dash and circuits , but could not get to the starter intermittently, due to the exposed wires and small amount of corrosion. I am thrilled I think i figured it out and it was a very simple thing . I will update this post to let you all know if keeps working . Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

Ya Thanks I think you're right. it also is telling me that a signal is getting that far,

Still haven't been able to find the problem , but , I did locate the "click" when attempting to start it . It is coming from the center consol shifter , not sure if it's related to the neutral safety switch, or something else . I may disassemble the consol to try to find out what that is and if it's the problem.

Thanks guys , yea a solinoid or relay is very likely due to the vehicle starting , I drive it , some relay or solinoid heating up and malfunctioning, then it doesn't start. I can see that. The headlights do Not dim when starting so I don't think power gets as far as the starter.. There is a click somewhere in the dash , might be unrelated, sounds like behind the glovebox , but not the starter , starter makes no sound . I'm sure the starter is not the problem . I am quite familiar with starters. But , I think a relay or solinoid could be to blame ..... thanks fof helping me brainstorm this , the car won't be at a shop at least for a while ... Merry Christmas

Thanks bramfrank , but as i mentioned I just put a big new battery in it and have only driven no more than 20 miles ....it can't be the battery or alternator , if it were either it wouldn't start an hour later .

Lol . Thanks 2late , you know what I am going through. I might need to take it in, I'm just afraid they will check the systems and tell me it must be the starter . Dealerships are very expensive in Canada. I will look into the electrical component you were talking about . It sounds similar , Are you sure it was on the top of the engine? By the way , the journey has always started at home , its when I go out and it sits for a few minutes to a few hours , and it won't start. Such as running into a store or getting gas .

After sitting in the parking lot for an hour or so , it started again, drove it home and now it won't start again. I didn't mean to offend anyone, just very frustrated. You can google this and find people who were told by technicians that it was a battery or starter and they changed them 2 or 3 times and it still doesn't work. I can fix almost anything , I just can't figure out what the problem is. I do know the win modules were recalled from 2009 to jan 25 2010 and mine was built on jan 29 2010. But that is supposed to be an unrelated problem , and they won't change mine. Just hope someone has figured this problem out.

I put a new battery in last week , thought that was it , but the car won't start again. My wife is stranded right now . Although I know you are trying to help . That was not good advice , you need to listen to what I was saying , and the symptoms. . It is not the battery . It is a computer defect, or some other problem. I still am leaning towards the win module. What a waste of money before christmas .