a bad starter?

I have a '94 Voyager w/ 133K miles on the odometer. Yesterday I tried to start the van and after the first attempt, nothing but a "click." the second time turning the key to start, all was fine. Later that day, I tried to go someplace and "click" again. I connected jumper cables from the other car and still "click" confirming my battery (3yrs) was ok. About 2 hrs later, I tried again. It cranked and started fine. Several re-tries were successful. However, I'm expecting a re-occurrance at the worst possible time. Do you think it's the starter? Can it be checked?

it is most likely the starter. when we had this same problem we had the starter rebuilt for $40.00!!

Hi there, my starter on my 96 Grand Caravan did the same thing, it would be hit and miss but eventually got worse. Sometimes it would click 1 or 2 times, sometimes 6 or 7 and sometimes not at all and worked fine. I wasn't sure what it was either and didn't want to replace the starter if that wasn't the problem. I found a product on ebay to rebuild it myself for $20. My starter is pretty easy to get to so I gave it a try.The kit had the contacts and plunger. I'm not sure if they make one for your car but if you email them with the info they will tell you if it is available for your car. It took about 20 minutes to rebuild and didn't require much technical skill. It was called the clicker fixer and I got it on ebay. It completely solved the problem. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Hi there, my starter on my 96 Grand Caravan did the same thing, it would be hit and miss but eventually got worse. Sometimes it would click 1 or 2 times, sometimes 6 or 7 and sometimes not at all and worked fine. I wasn't sure what it was either and didn't want to replace the starter if that wasn't the problem. I found a product on ebay to rebuild it myself for $20. My starter is pretty easy to get to so I gave it a try.The kit had the contacts and plunger. I'm not sure if they make one for your car but if you email them with the info they will tell you if it is available for your car. It took about 20 minutes to rebuild and didn't require much technical skill. It was called the clicker fixer and I got it on ebay. It completely solved the problem. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Thanks a bunch! I'll look into a rebuild kit. Just as a precaution, I called the local auto parts store (Advanced Auto Parts) and was quoted a replacement for $70.00 and its in stock. Maybe a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush.

I have a '94 Voyager w/ 133K miles on the odometer. Yesterday I tried to start the van and after the first attempt, nothing but a "click." the second time turning the key to start, all was fine. Later that day, I tried to go someplace and "click" again. I connected jumper cables from the other car and still "click" confirming my battery (3yrs) was ok. About 2 hrs later, I tried again. It cranked and started fine. Several re-tries were successful. However, I'm expecting a re-occurrance at the worst possible time. Do you think it's the starter? Can it be checked?

:grinyes: As I proceeded to remove the starter, I noticed an excessive build-up of grease & grime at the small wire connection. I had a hunch, thoroughly cleaned the connections w/ electronic connection cleaner and re-connected them. Tested the connections by sequencing starts about 25 times. The next morning another 15 times. I guess a bad connection was the problem. I'll keep this posting updated if my cleaning was just a temporary fix.

:grinyes: As I proceeded to remove the starter, I noticed an excessive build-up of grease & grime at the small wire connection. I had a hunch, thoroughly cleaned the connections w/ electronic connection cleaner and re-connected them. Tested the connections by sequencing starts about 25 times. The next morning another 15 times. I guess a bad connection was the problem. I'll keep this posting updated if my cleaning was just a temporary fix.
:smokin: As of 6/3/05 and after numerous successful starts, I'm assumming the dirty wire connections was the problem.

:smokin: As of 6/3/05 and after numerous successful starts, I'm assumming the dirty wire connections was the problem.
As of 6/24/05, still no problems :tongue:

As of 6/24/05, still no problems :tongue:8/16/05-acted up again. Cleaned the contacts and seems to work fine. Do you think a starter replacement is in order?

8/16/05-acted up again. Cleaned the contacts and seems to work fine. Do you think a starter replacement is in order?
After several occasions of loosening and tightening the connections, I finally contacted the source of the clickerfixer noted by SurfingDad and described the problem. I just ordered the repair kit and hope to close the coffin on this issue once and for all! Thanks SurfingDad for your repair tips, and John Hyatt for your repair kit.