I've been having some issues with starting on my 2002 Grand Caravan Sport. It seems like the battery is dying but just wondering what's going on because the battery seems to come back to life on repeated tries.
First problem happened last month. I just got a click when I tried to start it one time, then tried again and it started right up without any delay. Then the next day it happened again in the same manner... click first try, then started right up. But aside from those two occurrences, the problem didn't repeat until today.
I last drove the car on Friday. It's been raining and I didn't drive or start the car at all Saturday. Today, Sunday, when I tried to start the car I got a click, then second try... click...., third try... a little bit of cranking, fourth try... a little more cranking, fifth try... cranks and starts. I let it run for about 20 min to recharge. Turned it off. Starts right back up.
I'm not driving it anywhere today. Tomorrow I will see what happens. I sure hope this is just a dying battery. But the battery in it now (Interstate) is only one year old. And it seems a bit strange with how it comes back to life. You would think that normally a dying battery would crank a little first, then a little less, then not crank at all and just click. Whereas this battery seems to be doing just the opposite.
toronado455
01-07-2008, 07:26 PM
Follow up...
Today it wouldn't start again. But no luck on repeated tries either. Just a click every time. I connected a DieHard jumpstarter/booster battery to it and it behaved the same way it did on Sunday with a click first, weak cranking, then a little more cranking, then starting.
Drove it to my mechanic. He tested the battery and it showed fully charged. So in order to try to narrow down the possibilities he swapped out the battery for a new one (temporarily - he didn't have the right size for the Caravan in stock - and he is keeping the one he pulled out in his shop for now) and I'm going to drive it for a few weeks like this to see what happens. He thinks it's the starter and is predicting I'm going to continue to have the same problem. We'll see what happens. If it turns out it was the battery, he'll return the core he pulled out of my car to Interstate, and install the correct size.
Also, he showed me the voltage was just slightly fluctuating around the 14 mark when the engine is running. He says the slight fluctuation is an early sign that the alternator is going out.
I would like to hear some opinions here if anyone has any. Thanks!
toronado455
02-21-2008, 04:55 PM
So my mechanic put a new battery in a few weeks ago - just because he could get a free replacement under warranty.
But I'm still getting a single "click" sometimes when I turn the key. It is intermittent and most of the time it doesn't do it. It is becoming more frequent though. So I'm going to have my mechanic replace the starter on Tuesday.
The van has just over 103,000 miles now. Is this a normal wear-out cycle on the starter?
Also, should I replace the spark plugs and wires now? They are the original and the motor runs perfectly.
RickMN
02-21-2008, 06:54 PM
#1) Did your mechanic clean the battery terminals and the ground straps? That is the FIRST thing to check on a click-then-start symptom.
#2) A fluctuating voltage can also be the sign of a poor connection at ground or at the alternator. Never condemn an alternator before you've cleaned all the connections--battery pos, battery neg to body, batt neg to engine, engine to firewall, etc.
#3) Absolutely you should change your spark plugs now. You've already exceeded their life expectancy and you're already paying for it in reduced fuel efficiency. Here's an article on plugs
#4) A starter should last longer than 103M miles. But, if you've cleaned all the cables as I've suggested and still have the problem, then the solenoid is the problem. Since it's part of the starter, you have to replace the whole unit.
This sounds familiar. I had a similar starting problem last year. Mileage was similar to yours ... around 105K. Starter went. Click, click, click ... no start.
Change the starter.
hcmq
02-22-2008, 08:56 AM
The starter solenoid has mostlikely failed due to bad/corroded wires. Too much amp draw is needed when wires are bad that is why the new temp battery worked for a while.
Make sure your mechanic peels back the covering on the main wires going to the starter and to the ground to make sure no corrosion is hidden in there. If there is then replace the wires with the starter.
I 2nd it is past time for plugs and wires. Go OEM or better not mechanic cheap!!
Good luck-
toronado455
02-25-2008, 12:36 AM
Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.
My mechanic did clean the battery cables and terminals. I watched him do it. Are the ground straps something separate?
Besides the clicking, very rarely it will start to crank for a split second and then stop cranking. (Then it clicks when you re-try it). Is this also the starter/solenoid?
I'll make sure to get those plugs and wires replaced soon too.
XDGT03
02-25-2008, 05:55 AM
Did he clean the connection at the starter? Probably not because the connection gets so corroded over time that the stud will break when you take the nut off and now you have to replace the entire starter. Inspect the connection there. If it looks bad then it probably is bad. Also, corrosion can work its way up the cables under the insulation from the terminal ends.
toronado455
02-26-2008, 10:07 PM
Got my new starter today. My mechanic installed a brand new Chrysler/Mopar starter.
The cables were all OK. No corrosion there luckily.
My mechanic opened up the old starter and showed me inside where the contacts were corroded on the solenoid plunger thing (sorry I don't know the technical term).
Thanks again for y'alls help!
Totohydra
08-16-2008, 11:05 AM
This post was helpful for me as well, thanks.
My particular issue (2001 Caravan Sport) is that I'll turn once, click...turn key again, starts right up with no hesitation. I'd say it's well past time for new plugs and wires for me as well but I will go over all the connections outlined in this thread. Hate buying new starters!
toronado455
08-16-2008, 05:13 PM
My particular issue (2001 Caravan Sport) is that I'll turn once, click...turn key again, starts right up with no hesitation.
I hate to say it, but that sounds a lot like the problem I was having. Of course, as stated by others, it could be corrosion elsewhere, but as my mechanic explained it to me, the corrosion in the starter solenoid keeps the thing from making full contact sometimes and thus you get the "click" instead of cranking.
This problem just gets worse over time, so keep an eye on it. Let us know what happens.
scotta
08-29-2008, 05:34 PM
I just had the same problem in my 1998 3.3, 130k. Progressively more clicks before it would start. Yes it was the solenoid contacts but instead of replacing the starter just replace the contacts.
Dodge says you can't service the starter but it is the same one that is used in some Toyota's which Toyota says you can service. (If you look at the starter it will have Chrysler branding but made in Japan.)
Anyway I pulled the 2 little copper contacts out and took them to parts at the local Toyota dealer, handed them across the counter and said solenoid contacts. The guy went out back and came back with 2 identical new ones. $10 later I was on my way home.
Installed them and the Van starts fine, first time every time.
What makes you initially think it is a bad battery is that the starter is trying to pull big amps over an increasingly bad connection.
TomQuick
08-30-2008, 08:53 AM
Even if you suspect the starter in a situation like this, it is always wise to thoroughly check all of the electrical connections for the battery, ground, and starter first, and check the condition of the battery cables, and ground straps. You would be surprised how many times people replace good starters and alternators because of bad connections.
Totohydra
09-11-2008, 04:15 PM
Anyway I pulled the 2 little copper contacts out and took them to parts at the local Toyota dealer, handed them across the counter and said solenoid contacts. The guy went out back and came back with 2 identical new ones. $10 later I was on my way home.
Installed them and the Van starts fine, first time every time.
Did you have to remove the starter to get the contacts out? This is starting to look over my head due to starter placement.
