My 1998 Dodge Durango won't start. I turned the key it tried to start then everything went black. There is a clicking behind my glove box even when the keys are in my hand. I tried the lights and they won't come on but the clicking stops. Any Ideas?

It could be the starter motor, as when that goes, all you will get is clicking. If the battery is failing you usually get noises as it struggles. Initially, if you can locate the starter motor, you may be able to give it a whack, but this method of starting your truck will only last a short while because all the whacking just damages it even more.

Ultimately, if it is the starter motor that is faulty, you will need to get it replaced. You can test a starter motor to see if it is that that’s at fault.

Connect the black lead from a set of jump leads to the negative terminal on your battery (assuming that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your battery) and the other end to the body of the starter motor. Then connect the red lead to the positive terminal, and touch the other end of the lead to the terminal on the back of the solenoid. This should make the solenoid click and throw the starter motor pinion forward, but the starter motor shouldn’t turn. If this doesn’t happen, then it is the solenoid that is faulty.

Touch the end of the red jump lead onto the large terminal of the starter motor; the pinion should begin to rotate quite strongly. Don’t be alarmed if there are lots of sparks, but make sure that you are in an area where there is nothing flammable around, and never hold the starter motor in your hands. The best place for it is in a vise. If this doesn’t happen, you know it’s time to go starter motor shopping.

It could be your security system not letting vehicle start.Phone your local dodge dealership and ask them for the code to disable the system.