2015 Dodge Journey Starter Problems? Electrical Gremlins? New Dodge Owner Ready To Throw In The Towel.

[MickeyOnTheCoast]

Hey everyone. I'll spare you the narrative of how I wound up buying this vehicle and how disappointed I am with Dodge at this point.

It's counter-productive and I REALLY need to get this resolved ASAP.

 

Here's what happened:

 

I purchased a used 2015 Dodge Journey (3.6) on 12JUL19. Three days ago 13SEP19, while attempting to take my father-in-law to where his big-rig was parked early in the AM, the pushbutton starter would not turn the engine over. Dash gizmos, windows, radio, ac all came on once the push-button was in the run position, but the engine wouldn't turn over. 

 

Thinking it was probably just an ECU glitch caused by the auto-unlock feature and me pushing the unlock on the key fob at the same time, I ran the procedure of overriding the anti-theft cut-off described in the first video posted below. Every icon cycled through the display, I depressed the brake, pushed the starter and nothing happened. I then cracked open the owners' manual and ran through the procedures to reset the dash lights after service. (Press the accellerator down slowly three times in 10 secs, etc).  I depressed the brake, pushed the starter and nothing happened. 

 

Then I unhooked the battery, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then tried to turn it over again. It **almost** turned over, so I tried the anti-theft cutoff procedure (see the video) once again. 

 

Boom. 

 

Car comes to life. 

 

I went back about my business for the day, and I thought I'd fixed the problem.

 

The next day, I went out to start the car to head out to the grocery store. Same scenario Same dash gizmos, radio, ac, etc came on, but the window motors seemed slower than usual. NOTE: I can hear the starter solenoid kick in. I can hear the starter start, but it still won't turn over. NEW PROBLEM: Dash says (every other try) that the key fob is not recognized. 

 

 My neighbor ( a self-avowed car guy ) came over with his code reader. We hooked the 16pin plug up and ran the reader. No codes.

 

At this point, we're both thinking we're dealing with an ECU that's wonky because of a weak battery. So we hooked up my wife's Wrangler and charged the battery for a while. 

 

Same procedures run again. Same results. 

 

I am the proud owner of a stationary audio-equipped and air conditioned spotlight system / paperweight.

 

The only thing that **MIGHT** save my ass is that the problem could still be covered by the 60k mile powertrain warranty.

 

Anyhow, the video of the security reset procedure I ran through is down below. Between the lack of Florida lemon laws, the fact that it's hurricane season and my "reliable car" is a heavily engineered brick right now, any advice you guys have will be greatly appreciated. 

 

Thanks, 

 

Mick

 

 

 

 

[NavalLacrosse]

Before you go chasing the electrical gremlins, keep it simple:
Does it start when you jump it?  Have you Swapped the battery with a new one?

I was suffering from issues similar to what you described; I feared the worse.

Ultimately, just replacing the battery with a new battery solved all the issues (radio crashing, failure to start, failure to sustain power, fob not detected, BT failure)

Dodge Journey is known for having many electrical gremlins show up when the battery START failing.

[DodgeCares]

Hi @MickeyOnTheCoast

 

I'm sorry to hear that this happened! I know that you are currently seeking advice from other forum members at this time, however, you decide to visit your Dodge dealer for a diagnosis, please feel free to reach out to us for additional assistance. 

Darlene
Dodge Social Care Specialist

[MickeyOnTheCoast]

Is that supposed to be some kind of sick joke?

 

If I had the money to take it to a dealer, I wouldn't be looking for advice from anonymous strangers on the internet, would I?

 

Nice to know "Dodge Cares" though. Pffffft.

[MickeyOnTheCoast]

NavalLacrosse we haven't changed out the battery just yet. 

 

When we jumped it from the Jeep there was no change whatsoever. 

 

I've already added an extra ground cable going from the negative extension to another part of the frame and it's had no effect on the starter. 

 

I guess we have to roll the dice and replace the battery at our cost and see what happens.

 

 

12 minutes ago, NavalLacrosse said:

Before you go chasing the electrical gremlins, keep it simple:
Does it start when you jump it?  Have you Swapped the battery with a new one?

I was suffering from issues similar to what you described; I feared the worse.

Ultimately, just replacing the battery with a new battery solved all the issues (radio crashing, failure to start, failure to sustain power, fob not detected, BT failure)

Dodge Journey is known for having many electrical gremlins show up when the battery START failing.

 

[OhareFred]

I understand your frustrated but take a breath and chill.  You bought a USED vehicle.  Expect problems, that’s why most get traded in.  If you want perfect, you’ll have to build it yourself because even brand new cars can b f$$ked up.

NOW, for some hopefully helpful information,

you could actually have a 5 year old battery in there. It’s a MY15, but could have been purchased in 14.  Sounds like your in a warm climate so to have the battery be bad not at all unusual.  Take it out and have it tested (it’s free). Anything even a bit iffy, replace it.  

 

your description of your issues sure point to a weak battery. Newer cars are EXTREMELY sensitive to voltage changes.  Forget what you know about your old cars battery lasting 6-7 years, thats a thing of the past.  Start there, keep updating.  There are a ton of helpful people on here, including dodgecares, but as you stated, your looking for help from strangers on the internet.  Your seeing it, not us.  Let us know...

[MickeyOnTheCoast]

Thanks for the post, OhareFred. I've had numerous issues with the dealer that I bought it from. (It took a trip to the DMV to figure out that they hadn't put in the paperwork for my tags even a month after the transaction.) So yes, I am extremely frustrated. 

 

We're working on switching the battery out now, although how it could be that problem after a charge and with current running to the peripherals is beyond me. 

 

I'll check back in and provide an update once that happens.

 

 

[Summer Solstice]

What NavalLacrosse has mentioned has been my experience also. The battery in my 2016 went bad at only 2 years old. With a bad cell the car could be jumped  and driven but it would not restart. The dash gave all kinds of errors and lights and I thought the worst also. The Journey, being the modern electronic marvel that it is  exhibits all kinds of weird symptoms with a  weak battery. It is not your father's Dodge. Have your battery tested at any auto parts store for free. A trusted mechanic may even test the battery for free.

 

As for DodgeCares, I understand your frustration but to lash out at someone who offered help, and gave you the choice to take it, is not going to help you get your problem resolved.

 

Check the battery first and go from there. Good luck.

[OhareFred]

Trust me, I feel your pain. My 09 hasn’t been a bunch of roses either, but I’m lucky  my dealer is great, now that i’ve found them.

 

these cars are so voltage crazy/hungry we have been seeing all kinds of crazy sh*t happen.  Like I said, keep updating, but we like to start cheap/simple first

 

fwiw it sounds like your dealer sucks...

[larryl]

you would be surprised how a bad battery will make a new vehicle react...hope you can resolve your issue

[2late4u]

always start out by checking a 4-5 yr old battery first, but save yourself some time and trouble just put in a new battery dont fool with thee old one, and just to be sure as even some new batteries can still have a bad cell ,have them put a full charge on the new one and have them do a LOAD check on it just to be sure it is in top shape, i have a 2014 and i replaced my oem mopar battery 2 yrs ago just to be safe as i have never had good luck with them....also Journeys dont like weak batteries...Remember you get more good info when not being a jerk...good luck

[jkeaton]

20 hours ago, MickeyOnTheCoast said:

Is that supposed to be some kind of sick joke?

 

If I had the money to take it to a dealer, I wouldn't be looking for advice from anonymous strangers on the internet, would I?

 

Nice to know "Dodge Cares" though. Pffffft.

 

Bet you make friends easily. 

Edited September 17, 2019 by jkeaton

[NavalLacrosse]

I should mention, regarding battery issues: 
I encountered the issue; replaced the battery with a Walmart battery myself (the service team 'refused' to work on the DJ). IT FAILED IN 1 month- same issues as you described again. Replaced the battery with a better one- and the issue has been gone 20k more miles.

[redtomatoman]

Even though this hasn't been mentioned,  I'd replace your current battery with a quality new battery.  Find a good dealer and be nice.  You may need them some day.  Good luck.

 

Peace.

[Chopper]

Hi! I feel your frustration. I can't stand a car not working that stress me awfully bad!

Same problem here, 2015 SXT Journey. After a few cold days last Sunday  it acted exactly as you described. We bought a jumpstarter at Walmart (Stanley 1200 amp with usb, light, coffee maker, and what not!) and after a new tries it started. Used the car perfectly for the rest of the evening turning it off and on several times. Monday morning same thing, today, same thing. Wanted to buy a battery at my local walmart but they didn't had the appropriate size. 

 

Now reading that Walmart (or cheap brand batteries in general) are not a good idea. 

 

What happened to yours? have you changed it?  If so, which brand did you bought? Hope everything is better now.

 

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

 

Chopper

[Armando G]

It would seem a battery change was done and all was well, considering there was no update. 

[2late4u]

1 hour ago, Armando G said:

It would seem a battery change was done and all was well, considering there was no update. 

love it when they come here bitching every one out and then never come back to report what fix they found, i would bet it was a battery problem no one ever wants to believe it when their lights and radio still works...LOL and as well he describe resetting the lights as mentioned in the car manual and i bet he was reading where it was to resets the oil light icon Warning

[larryl]

Sometimes the only thing missing is Judge Judy

[2late4u]

47 minutes ago, larryl said:

Sometimes the only thing missing is Judge Judy

watching her right now...

[Armando G]

5 hours ago, 2late4u said:

watching her right now...

4pm, channel 5... yet I have no idea why anyone would go on the show?

Funny story, my son filed a suit against his last property manager and he received an invitation to the show. When the owner of the property heard of the situation, he called my son and settled quickly (side note - my son is a lawyer). 

[froggyluv]

On 11/26/2019 at 8:52 PM, 2late4u said:

love it when they come here bitching every one out and then never come back to report what fix they found, i would bet it was a battery problem no one ever wants to believe it when their lights and radio still works...LOL and as well he describe resetting the lights as mentioned in the car manual and i bet he was reading where it was to resets the oil light icon Warning

 

This Lady was correct - my wifes car has same exact problem and weve had a brand new battery as well as terminals put in. the 2009 does have an electrical Gremlin problem - this car has an issue with its Driver side door wiring which has led to literally thousands of dollars in repair and even multiple mechanics who refuse to deal with it. Even dodge dealerships have been left dumbfounded at times. There was a recall K07 just for this issue.

[2late4u]

yes the 09 and a few other years of journey have their problems as ALL different car models have as well, small brake rotors and yes the wiring loom i the doors and hatch have been a common problem . after all your journey is an 12 yr old vehicle, sorry to hear you have had problem with your journey,, i have had 2 journeys a 2011 that i loved and traded in on with 70 k and now my 2014 with 110 k on it and so with both of them combined it has only been in the dealership for repairs about 3 times total in the 10 yrs that i owned them both, just the luck of the draw i guess

[larryl]

On any forum the bad outweighs the good always....they really should be called bitch forums 

[JBone]

It's the WIN module...lots of dodge journey owners complaining of this problem...look it up on NHTSA! Wireless Ignition Node needs replacing...kind of a pain to get to behind the dash so it's about a $600 repair @ the shop...

[yyz]

On 11/19/2024 at 11:10 PM, JBone said:

It's the WIN module...lots of dodge journey owners complaining of this problem...look it up on NHTSA! Wireless Ignition Node needs replacing...kind of a pain to get to behind the dash so it's about a $600 repair @ the shop...

You're a little late to the party on this.