It’s incredibly frustrating when your car refuses to start, especially when it seems intermittent and you’ve already thrown money at potential fixes. One common issue for owners of the 2008 Dodge Charger is the dreaded “key fob won’t start car” scenario. Let’s delve into a real-life experience and explore potential causes and solutions when your 2008 Dodge Charger key fob won’t start your car.
The problem began subtly for one 2008 Dodge Charger owner. Having already been using their spare key fob due to issues with the primary one, they encountered a no-start situation. Initially, a jump start was attempted, but it proved unsuccessful. Suspecting a key issue due to past experience, a locksmith was called to investigate. The locksmith confirmed the original key fob had no signal, but the spare did. However, even with a signal from the spare, the car remained stubbornly immobile. The locksmith, going beyond a simple key diagnosis, checked under the hood and car, discovering rusted starter wires, with one appearing close to detaching. This pointed towards a potential electrical problem rather than solely a key fob issue.
Following the locksmith’s assessment, the 2008 Dodge Charger was taken to a local dealership. They addressed the rusted starter wires, replacing them but stating the starter itself was fine. Upon picking up the vehicle, the starting problem persisted. Interestingly, the dealership then kept the car for two days, reporting they couldn’t replicate the issue, having started it over 150 times successfully. This intermittent nature of the problem adds to the frustration. The car owner experienced a successful start at the dealership, only for the car to fail to start again after a few attempts shortly after leaving. The dealership then revised their diagnosis to a faulty starter, which they replaced. Despite this, the starting issue returned after work, highlighting the complexity of diagnosing such problems.
Currently, the 2008 Dodge Charger starts intermittently. All electrical accessories function correctly – lights, radio, and power windows are all operational. Two dashboard icons remain illuminated: a blinking red light and an orange icon located in the far right panel under the fuel gauge. The locksmith suggested the blinking red light could indicate an issue with key recognition. Sometimes the car starts, sometimes it doesn’t, and occasionally it begins to start but then dies. This inconsistent behavior makes troubleshooting difficult and dealership visits costly and seemingly ineffective.
If you’re experiencing a similar “2008 Dodge Charger key fob won’t start car” issue, consider these potential culprits beyond just the key fob itself:
- Faulty Starter: While replaced in this case, starters can still be problematic, especially with intermittent failures.
- Battery Issues: Even a relatively new battery can have issues. Ensure it’s properly tested.
- Ignition Switch Problems: The ignition switch is crucial for relaying the start signal. A failing switch can cause intermittent starting problems.
- Immobilizer System Malfunction: The blinking red light mentioned could indeed point to an issue with the car’s immobilizer system, which prevents theft by disabling the engine if the correct key isn’t recognized.
- Crankshaft Position Sensor: A failing crankshaft position sensor can prevent the engine from starting, and sometimes failures can be intermittent.
- Fuel Delivery Problems: While less likely with the described symptoms, fuel pump or fuel system issues can also cause no-start conditions.
Given the experience detailed, seeking a second opinion from a trusted mechanic specializing in automotive electrical systems or immobilizer issues might be beneficial. Clearly communicating the intermittent nature of the problem and all symptoms, including the dashboard lights, is crucial for effective diagnosis. Don’t solely focus on the key fob; as demonstrated, the issue could lie elsewhere within the starting system of your 2008 Dodge Charger.
