starter problem

[bnicholas]

my 2008 Challenger 180 won't start. When I turn on the main power switch, I hear the double chirp but then when I press the start button, I lose all power and everything goes dead (dash goes blank, no horn, no blower, etc.) New battery all connections seem tight and all fuses seem to be ok.
Any ideas????

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... it's a new battery, but did you charge it?

You are describing a weak battery. (or a shorted out starter)

 

[bnicholas]

Yes, battery is fully charged. Meter shows 12+volts.

 

[voodoo]

Sure sounds like a pooped out battery, try removing the plugs to let it spin without compression like the 2stroke days after a flipover.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes, battery is fully charged. Meter shows 12+volts.

That's not what I asked. Did you charge it?

An acid battery can show a surface charge of 12v... but as soon as you put a load on it, it will drop.

But... like I said. If your starter is shorted out... it can draw down the battery quickly. (but there is normally smoke when it's shorted or locked up)

As Voodoo said... pull the plugs, and see if it spins over.

 

[yardawg]

I've got a similar problem. Mine was running fine then just shut off. Cranked back up then shut off again a few minutes later. Did this then nothing. The dash went blank but the horn and blower still worked. If you let it sit, eventually it chirped and started back up. If you turn the power switch off and back on, the dash would blink but then go blank. I changed keys, checked fuses wires and connections, everything looks fine. There was a relay on the small fuse box in the back that was really hot. Any ideas?