Dealing with Christine’s Daughter of a car

[Tish]

Hi everyone! So yes I am new here. I need some help with my 2014 possessed dodge Journey. 

She is Christine’s teenager daughter with PMS and Bipolar 

She has been to three mechanics and they can’t find the issue. 
I am having issues with her not wanting to start randomly. 
Changed the starter
Changed all the relays and fuses 
Changed the battery 
Cleaned all the terminal connectors 
Replaced the key fob 

Now: 
When I step on the brake pedal it doesn’t want to move. It will not go down. It is hard as stone. 
When I push the button everything comes on like it is going to start. Lights all come on, I can hear the click of the starter, everything looks and sounds normal. Just doesn’t start 
BUT! When someone gets under and taps the starter with a hammer (old school I know) she starts right up 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

What the Heck??? The starter is brand new (not a pull from the junk yard) 
There are days where she will start without any issue at all that is why one mechanic says that it isn’t the new starter. 

Soooooo anyone here have ANY suggestions what could be going on before I take her back to the , very patient and not charging me for my craziness, shop

Edited November 12, 2025 by Tish

[5rebel9]

IF someone can "rap" the starter with a hammer and it starts "every time" as you said, the problem IS the starter or wire connections to it.

[2late4u]

Not all brand new starters are GOOD....

[John/Horace]

Any codes stored. Try putting in neutral next no crank start.