I have a lighting bolt symbol on my dash and the car won't start what does this mean

Asked by 2008dodge2015 Jun 11, 2015 at 12:48 PM about the 2008 Dodge Avenger

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

34 Answers

555

The lightning bolt means there is problem with the spark or your ign either way it's not good I'm sorry.

30 people found this helpful.
4,530

Totally not true. Its a problem with the etc throttle control. Do your research before replying random shit..

450 people found this helpful.
1,060

Lol , )/( (pretend it's a lighting bolt ) E.T.C Electronic Throttle Control. Controls the throttle blade the revs up your engine but is controlled by a foot pedal,wire, Electronic motor. Used to be done by a cable that ran from gas pedal to carburator

106 people found this helpful.
190

Thanks that gave me a much better understanding I appreciate

19 people found this helpful.
330

08 dodge avenger replaced trottle body and put another electronic gas pedal on wht else can be the issue of why lighting bolt is still onim stund dont know what else would cause this

33 people found this helpful.
510

Butlerdave, did you flash your ECM? Your computer might need updated. Check out the service bulletin: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5jux700eysy75ed/ETC%20Flash.pdf

20 people found this helpful.
580

I have gotten mine going down the road several times by unplugging intake hose from the air cleaner, plugging the hose with my palm until car about dies, letting go, and repeating several times. car goes to idling proper. definitely is not a throttle body issue tho. everything I have found leads to a PCM reflash. I have, however, with this procedure, successfully driven a good 3000+ miles since the problem has began

34 people found this helpful.
580

It also helps to have someone press the gas pedal while doing this. intake cleaner can be sprayed in the hose while doing this also but I'd recommend to use sparingly so o2 sensors and cat isn't messed up in the process. Also be sure your intake hose is secure on both ends. If you plug the hose and car doesn't try to die, hose is not secure and changes throttle body readings. hope this helps someone out

24 people found this helpful.
670

I have a Dodge avenger 20013 and I see the red lighting bolt my won't get any gas. Ideals by its self. I can't drive over 20 if I can get any. Help please!

67 people found this helpful.
510

Change the throttle body. I bought mine 7 months ago off of Ebay and my car has been fine since day 1. ( My throttle body was aftermarket, cost was around $48.) I also had to disconnect my battery cables after installing the throttle body to reset the computer.

31 people found this helpful.
180

if I disconnect battery cables on 2013 dodge avenger, when I reattach them, what would I need to do?...will then car start?..will there be weird modern safety crap keeping the car from starting?....what will happen from eraseing battery held codes?

16 people found this helpful.
410

Im having a flashing red lightning bolt how do u fix it? Its 2010 dodge avenger

41 people found this helpful.
150

I have a 2011 Dodge Avenger and changed the throttle body and the light still comes on.

15 people found this helpful.
180

I had that problem one guy an old mechanic says it’s rare failure but easy to fix just change the intake seals and that’s it

18 people found this helpful.
90

I put a new throttle body on my 2013 Avenger. Now four months later the light stays on. What's going on?

9 people found this helpful.
180

I have an 08 avenger. She and I have had a lot of fun with my red blaze of death. I found that oil backs into the intake and pools by the butterfly and messes with the air flow. You can remove the breather hose or whatever it is called to the throttle body and open the butterfly with your fingers. If you take an absorbent rag and fold lengthwise.. slide up into the channel. When you pull out and you have oil saturated in your rag.. well.. there ya go. I had to remove my vacume from my pcv and cap. That helps but my car is old. We have almost 345000 miles on us but this did start a long time ago.

18 people found this helpful.
410

And it's still running 345k ? Damit!!! That's good shit never no major repairs.??? That's a winner.. 2011. 170 k. Only half way on some 2.4-? 4 banger has the flashing red lightning bolt. I get it. These new pansy's. Dodge so called engineer knew what they were doing when they put that lightning bolt in the dash.they knew they were fucking us.the back stabbing greedy fucks never foreseen you getting 345.000 miles out of the sabotage Avenger .good car.Lmao!!! DODGE I LOVE IT.

18 people found this helpful.
410

Ok I just got this blacked out Dodge Avenger and it came with no extra charge this red flashing light.I said no big deal .then it died .no start now big deal new battery that's the first thing .don't mess around .tight good battery ends and cables.a must. Then up to the rats nest of wires Dodge was really putting it to us there .get this fuse box sat morning cartoon.. my car won't start untell I pull that nightmare up And as far as I can get it.try and make sure the plugs are all the way in .now starts.red flash in dash. I say f it. Wd,40.now this could help ..... Are KILL IT FOR GOOD..I DONT expect to live for ever so what the hell I drown this dieing bitch fuse box relays under fuse box plugs battery .die bitch strand me.!!! I get back in try start guess what lol puke puke puke won't even start now lmao. I pull the relays mop up all the wd40 and in fuse box .there was about hour time just set. Went back hit the key ZipZapSlap slap purring like my little kitty. Hit the pedal zoom zoom 5k Rpm . Now I don't trust nothing . Drove around yard light flash. Spin tires .left it . Today I drive it in daylight . That's my story and that's a fact

9 people found this helpful.
410

Bottom line Dodge knew they would be donkeying us from get go. And that grit sandpaper papers my A hole. They knew to put the flashing red lightning bolt in the dash. And that's a confession they knew they were their screw- ins us... And for that . I salute EVERYONE B.A DODGE But don't for get dude in red death ride got 345k and still going that's a winner in my book.

5 people found this helpful.
210

I had a red bolt as well in a 2013 Dodge Avenger R/T. I had to keep disconnecting the battery everytime my vehicle stalled. Dodge claims it was my battery. I go to install a new battery and within 1 day the new battery was fried. I get another new one, then dodge hooked it up to diagnostics they claimed I needed a new alternator as the battery wasn't holding a charge. No, the battery kept frying because the wiring harness was creating a short circuit. Needless to say. I spent over $1,400.00 and the vehicle still continues to stall. Problem not solved unfortunately. TO BE CONTINUED....... KEEP YOU POSTED. WE'RE GONNA GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ISSUE. REST ASSURED, WE WILL INDEED.

21 people found this helpful.
160

my 2012 Dodge Avenger 2.4 had the lighting bolt changed the battery, the Intake Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid and the Solenoids Camshaft Position Actuator mine went off after about 30 miles can post pictures of location if I need too. Hope this helps

16 people found this helpful.
60

Change either the battery or alternator had the same problem untill i changed the alternator and if you cant afford to change it im sure someone around could rebuild it

6 people found this helpful.
90

I recently had my alternator changed and one day I’m leaving work and this lighting bolt shows up. But i can still drive, the car hasn’t stalled and it still reaching the same speeds. I have no issues except this light. I’m scared though because i don’t want to get stranded anywhere!

9 people found this helpful.
20

I own a 2011 Dodge adventure express, 4 cylinder 2.4L Great car at 80,000miles. Im currently at 95,000 and I started getting jurks on high way. For about 6 months then 1 engine light came and gone I was able to read it in time witch read "Large Evap Leak" i kept driving it then one morning when to start and cars RPM at 2,000 with red lighting bolt flashing. Wasnt able to drive it wouldn't let me. So I turned it off turned back on then perfectly fine. I cleaned out the throttle body, didn't work. I changed spark plugs, didn't work. Im about to change the throttle body completely and pray that works.

2 people found this helpful.
40

So far I’ve replaced the throttle body battery alternator I have no idea what’s wrong with this car but I don’t ever think I’m getting another dodge after the magnum and Avenger both having issues think I’ll get a Toyota and just sell this cause for nobody to know what the problem is this is rediculous

4 people found this helpful.
20

I'm having the same problem with my Avenger RT 09, I have no codes just the Red Bolt. I’ve replaced the throttle body & upper intake gasket. I was going to replace the pedal position sensor but wanted to check if anyone got theirs fixed.

2 people found this helpful.
30

so..... i had the same problem and changed the crankshaft positioning sensor and it went away only to come back again 3 days later ....... now i just dont look at it and turn the radio up ........

3 people found this helpful.

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