Why won't my Mitsubishi Montero start, just a click or nothing?

Short answer: If your Montero clicks or does nothing and an under-hood fuse keeps blowing, start with the battery posts and cables, then have voltage checked at the starter while someone turns the key. One 1992 owner's fix was a new neutral safety switch and a loose wire the dealer found; the starter itself bench-tested fine. On a 1997, members suspected a starter drawing too much current or a bad neutral switch.

Symptom: The dash lights come on, but turning the key gives a single click or nothing. Sometimes an under-hood fuse (one labeled for the generator or alternator) is blown.

What to check first

1. Clean the battery posts and cable ends and have the battery load-tested.
2. Check the big under-hood fuses and note which one blows.
3. Have voltage checked at the starter while the key is turned to Start.
4. Try starting in Neutral, or jiggle the shifter in Park. If it cranks, suspect the neutral safety switch.
5. Look for loose or chafed wires near the starter and the transmission.

Likely causes

1. Neutral safety switch or a loose wire. The 1992 owner's dealer fixed it this way.
2. Corroded battery connections or weak battery. The first thing members said to check.
3. Starter drawing too much current. Suspected on the 1997 that kept blowing a fuse.
4. Shorted wire blowing the fuse. A fuse that keeps blowing means something is drawing too much or touching ground.

What it usually costs

No owner posted prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A no-start doesn't put you in danger while parked, but a fuse that keeps blowing points to a short. Don't keep putting in bigger fuses, which can cause a wiring fire. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY for battery and cable work and the neutral test. Tracing a short or replacing a neutral safety switch is easier for a shop.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Mitsubishi Montero: 00V311001 (1992-1996 model years, engine and engine cooling); 04V319000 (2002-2004 model years, fuel system, gasoline). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: Recall 00V311001 covered 3.0L Monteros whose crankshaft pulley bolt can loosen and let the pulley fall off. Recall 04V319000 covered a fuel tank valve on 2002–2004 models that may leak fuel when parked full on a slope. Neither is a no-start fix, but have your VIN checked. Verify with a mechanic.
• NHTSA complaints: 104 keyword-matched complaints for Mitsubishi Montero 1990–2004 (of 658 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-26; keywords: no start, click, starter, ignition switch, stall, fuse, battery, neutral) (NHTSA returned no complaint data for 2 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 1997 Mitsubishi Montero won't start on Car Talk, a high-mileage Montero got harder to start in a cold snap, then did nothing at all. The owner found a blown fuse marked for the generator and put in a new battery and fuse, but still only got a click. Members said to clean the battery posts, load-test the battery and measure voltage at the starter, and suspected a bad starter drawing too much current or the neutral switch.
• In Starting problem on 92 Montero with 3.0 liter on Car Talk, nothing happened when the key was turned and an under-hood fuse blew. The starter bench-tested fine. The owner reported the dealer replaced the neutral safety switch and found a loose wire.

Quick tip

If a fuse blows every time you turn the key, the fuse is doing its job. Find the short before you buy a starter.

Vehicle focus: 1992–1997 Mitsubishi Montero (second generation, 3.0L and 3.5L V6).

Safety / mechanic note

A repeatedly blowing fuse can mean a short that could cause a fire. Have the wiring checked. Verify with a mechanic.