# Dodge dakota not starting

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-dakota-not-starting/44993>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** starting, dakota, dodge\
**Created:** [February 23, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-dakota-not-starting/44993 "2010-02-23T17:59:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jmesimer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jmesimer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jmesimer)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-dakota-not-starting/44993/1 "2010-02-23T17:59:10Z")

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Every so often my 1994 6 cylinder dodge dakota won’t start. No turning over, no clicking but the radio and lights work. Then sometimes a day later it starts with not trouble. After having it towed it will start at the garage and the mechanic can find noting wrong. The last time it wouldn’t start after sitting for a couple of days I banged the area around the steering wheel and ignition switch with my fists it started up just fine. Any ideas. I did have the starter replaced

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-dakota-not-starting/44993/2 "2010-02-24T17:50:36Z")

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Maybe, the ignition switch.

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-dakota-not-starting/44993/3 "2010-02-24T18:44:23Z")

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My 95 Dakota used to do this occasionally. I believe the Neutral Safety was out of adjustment. Have you tried shifting to neutral and then starting?

Ed