imeyer

As the temperature here started to drop my van began to run badly.

It has difficulty starting.. seems like there is no juice in the battery. I've cleaned the battery terminals and connectors on the cables. Once it does start, it's fine. The dash voltmeter is normal.

Here is a list of strange things about this problem.

- I went to start it earlier and when I turned the key, nothing happened. Puzzled I sat there and then the dash lights went from off to dim and gradually became brighter, but not as bright as they should be.

- In the engine bay on the right hand side (If looking at the vehicle from the front) there is a black box that is clicking.. at the turn signals pace, but the turn signals aren't on. Is this the turn signal and other relay box? There are about 6-8 relays inside and 6 fuse spots with 5 of them taken up by either 5 or 15amp fuses.

- After sitting the solenoid will start to click.. but the starter doesn't catch. If I turn the key, let it click for a second, turn the key off.. wait 30 seconds and try again it might catch, or the solenoid will still click.. but eventually the starter will catch and begin to crank slowly.. and even later it'll probably even start.. at which point things are fine. I am going to try to get this to happen and get the error codes out of the computer.

I am completely stumped and don't even know where to start. I don't have much money so taking it to a shop isn't really an option. I know a few things about repairing cars but without tools and money, I'm kind of screwed.

All I need to do is figure out what the problem is, how to verify this and then figure out how to fix it myself.

If anyone has ideas or needs more information, feel free to ask.

bgchrs2004

unbolt the starter and check the teeth and make sure none are broken off or damaged... then just let it dangle from the wires and take off the small flywheel inspection cover.... put a wrench on the bolts and turn the engine over..... check all the teeth on the ring gear and make sure there not damaged
i would also get out a voltmeter and check your battery... if you have lower than 12.4 then you might want to think about a new battery... i think like 11.8 or somthin like that is fully discharged....
i dont know much about the clicking but mayb a loud relay??

imeyer

Update: I pulled the cover of the case that holds the relays and found a 25amp LO RAD FAN fuse to be blown.

It seems like there is something taking all the current from the battery before starting.. because when there is current, it starts right up and runs smoothly.

Anaudiophile

I believe there was a technical service bulletin describing these symptoms for 94ish Caravans/Voyagers. If I remember right, it talked about checking the bank of relays behind the lower kick panel (below the steering column) for certain date codes, and replacing them as necessary!? A Chrysler dealer should be able to give you a quick print off of this TSB !!

on2wheels

Start with the simple things first. Have you verified the battery is good? All the symtoms you listed could be the result of a weak battery. The battery voltage will be good once the engine is running even with a nearly dead battery, so the dashboard voltage indicator will not tell you much about the battery's condition once the engine is running. You need to read the voltage across the battery while the starter is cranking. If the battery voltage drops below 9 volts or so while cranking, then it is likely that battery is too weak. If this is the case, or if you do not have a voltmeter, you can take the battery to an automotive parts store. Most parts stores will check the battery under load, free of charge.

Sorry to pester you on this if you have already properly tested the battery, but I wanted to add this comment so that others with similar problems do not immediately assume that they have some complicated relay problems when it is much more likely that their battery is dead.