# Mystery on Main Street - The Case of the Perplexing Pacífica **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chrysler, starters, transmissions, electrical-wiring, pacifica\ **Created:** [January 15, 2022, 12:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890 "2022-01-15T00:05:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 12:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/1 "2022-01-15T00:05:25Z")
Our story begins with a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica, 2WD, auto tranny, 4.0L. Upon attempting to start the car, it “clicks”, but the engine doesn’t immediately turn over. Upon attempting several more times, sometimes placing the gear in neutral, occasionally placing both feet on the brake pedal, trying with my left hand instead of my right, maybe clapping three times (not really but…) and… click. Any combination of any of these will start it. Sometimes however, I’ll turn the key, click, turn, click, turn, click, turn click-start/vroom, and off I go. The car has a new battery, new starter (because this process killed the last one), wiring has been checked and the turn of the key does light up the dashboard, etc. The only consistent pattern to start it is - I take it to my mechanic to show him how it doesn’t start, and then it does - without hesitation. Never fails. So, can anyone solve tonight’s mystery? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/2 "2022-01-15T00:15:20Z")
Has anyone tried replacing the starter relay? Tester ---
**Author:** ![TXdealer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@TXdealer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TXdealer)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 12:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/3 "2022-01-15T00:23:13Z")
You might look into this. > **[2004-2008 Chrysler Pacifica Ignition Switch Actuator Pin - Dorman 924-739 - -...](https://www.partsgeek.com/6c19jpn-chrysler-pacifica-ignition-switch-actuator-pin.html)** > > Buy 2004-2008 Chrysler Pacifica Ignition Switch Actuator Pin Dorman for a low price of $38.43 at PartsGeek. FLAT RATE SHIPPING on most Dorman 924-739 orders. Someone on a Chrysler forum had a similar issue, this apparently was the fix. And if Doorman sells it, it is likely a common failure point. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/4 "2022-01-15T00:45:00Z")
[allpar.com](http://allpar.com) is a Chrysler-specific site. The minivan forum there may be a good place to ask. It’s helped me over the years with my Plymouth and Chrysler minivans. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/5 "2022-01-15T02:02:27Z")
Narrow down failure mode. Does it start fine after being warmed up? If so leave it overnight at the shop. ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/6 "2022-01-15T02:20:46Z")
Thank you very much! It would be a great help to me if you could send me the link to that forum, perhaps even to that posters question. I guess I did a bad job at finding one myself. ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/7 "2022-01-15T02:21:57Z")
Excellent! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/8 "2022-01-15T02:23:39Z")
Great question. We tried that (leaving at shop). It started right up for them and me at the shop. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/9 "2022-01-15T02:28:18Z")
Good catch. Actually, my mechanic brought this up today. I plan on bringing the car back to him next week and leaving it, hopefully so they can duplicate the problem. ---
**Author:** ![TXdealer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@TXdealer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TXdealer)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 3:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/10 "2022-01-15T03:45:20Z")
> **[Ignition Switch? - Chrysler Forum - Chrysler Enthusiast Forums](https://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/chrysler-pacifica-15/ignition-switch-26441/)** > > Chrysler Pacifica - Ignition Switch? - I have a 2005 Pacifica touring 2wd. Recently I have been dealing with the intermittent no start issue. I have added an extra ground wire from battery to trans. housing. That didn't seem to help much. Last night... ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/11 "2022-01-15T03:48:01Z")
Ah, thanks! Yes, I know this one. I thought you meant a Chrysler forum in this site. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 10:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/12 "2022-01-15T10:58:49Z")
When my Camry did that it was the starter. Just a thought, but the symptoms were the same. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/13 "2022-01-15T19:20:28Z")
That year Pacifica was not a minivan, but a CUV. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/14 "2022-01-15T21:02:20Z")
Completely Useless Vehicle ?? 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/15 "2022-01-15T21:36:50Z")
Mine was, but it’s what we used to call a “station wagon”. ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/16 "2022-02-07T15:59:16Z")
Thanks to all for your suggestions and the links, but the mystery continues, and I realllllllly want, make that _NEED_ to solve this! Below are more details. - The starter has been replaced. - The battery has been replaced. - The cables leading to both have been checked.In fact, my mechanic told me the design for this car is different and there is some sort of plate between the started and the ignition (or is it the starter and the battery?) so he knows about this and of course, checked and tightened as needed. - The ignition key was replaced earlier than this issue and it’s been rechecked as well. Essentially, when I turn the key, I get a click sound. I’ll try again, moving the transmission shifter to neutral, drive, reverse, maybe back to park or neutral, trying a few times as I get to neutral or park and eventually, it starts.Sometimes, it takes several tries and sometimes, it will start on the second try. Furthermore when this happens, it will usually start with the one turn of the key but sometimes, it’s like the old carburetor cars and starts after I’ve “pumped” it. And sometimes, it will crank right up as if all is good and life is a beautiful place. So, if anyone has any ideas to fix this, you’ll be my Sherlock Holmes (or Ms. Marple too - I’m all about equal opportunity!) for life. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/17 "2022-02-07T20:33:44Z")
Maybe a different garage that doesn’t throw parts at a problem. That seems like the way they work. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/18 "2022-02-07T20:36:51Z")
Didn’t try replacing the starter relay? Tester ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/19 "2022-02-07T20:49:40Z")
That’s not the case with this one. He’s actually spent the equivalent of a days worth of labor and my bill was - 0, yep, nothing. And it’s because he couldn’t find what to fix. He’s one of the few good ones. ---
**Author:** ![MLC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mlc/32/24931_2.png) [@MLC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MLC)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890/20 "2022-02-07T20:51:18Z")
That’s what I couldn’t remember! He did check it and it was fine. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-on-main-street-the-case-of-the-perplexing-pacifica/181890.md?page=2)