'98 T & C w/sporadic "no start" problem

This is my first post and a friend suggested that I try this forum to see if anyone had any ideas for me. Here's the problem: Sporadically, I will go out to get in my van and it won't start. Well, actually it will turn over but then it dies. This will happen like 3-4 times, then it won't turn over at all. If I let it sit overnight (episodes usually happen in the evening), it will usually start the next morning and work fine for a week or two, then it will act up again. The first time was June '07 at which time the alternator was checked and was "fine". They cleaned off the battery heads, etc. and it worked OK for a few weeks. The next time, I took it to a Chrysler dealer and was told it was the battery (although the battery had been replaced in 2005). They put a new battery in it and it worked OK for another month or so. At that time, I went to a different auto repair and told them that a friend said it sounded like maybe the solenoid/starter was the problem. They checked it and said the wire to the starter was just loose, so they tightened it and cleaned some oil off that had leaked onto it. According to them, the starter was fine except for the loose wire. Since then, it's happened 2-3 more times, but I've just left it until the next day when it will start again.

Does this make sense to anyone? I don't understand why it just happens on occasion. But I'm getting very paranoid about using it and I never take it out of town anymore because I never know when it's going to act up. I haven't been able to figure out any pattern with the timing of episodes or similarities in the use from that day, etc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

A few things to try:
> Clean the battery to engine and engine to chassy ground connections.
> If not already done remove the starter and have it bench tested. Autozone will test it for free.
> Change the spark plugs and wires.

A few questions:
Does it ever die after it's running?
When it won't start can you hear the fuel pump running? You might try smacking the bottom of the fuel tank with a mallot while cranking.
When it won't turn over at all, is that after you have cranked it so much the battery has died?

A common problem when you turn the key and nothing, not even a click happens, is bad solder joints on the instrument panel circuit board. Starting suddenly after smacking the top of the dash over the instrument cluster is a sign of this.

When having a starting problem keep in mind you can overheat a starter. Crank it for no more than 15 seconds. Let it sit 30 seconds then try again. Once cranked 5 times let it sit for 5 minutes. Considering what you've put the starter through over the previous months, it might be time for a new starter, regardless.

Hi Tiger77,
Actually a pretty common problem for these vans, a cracked solder connection on the instrument cluster.
here are some threads that will get you the info you need from this site, many of us have had the same problem
The three or four attempts and then nothing we think is a function of the security system, but that is just a best guess, a few of us are trying to determine exactly why, anyway...
A quick tip that may keep you from getting stranded:
Before you actually try to start the car only turn the ignition switch to the run position not all the way to start, look at the odometer, gearshift selector indicators and if I remember correctly the fuel gage (others are also effected but may not be indicating anything at this point), if all are on (LED's lit up and fuel gage is indicating) go ahead and start the van, it will start normally, if however theses are not lit up (for example the odometer isnt indicating anything / the digits arent lit) and or the fuel gage is pegged low then leave the key in the run position... (this may seem like I'm joking but I'm 100% serious) hit the top of the dash board on both sides of the steering wheel, about where the message center ends, this may take a pretty good whack or may take a few good whacks, start with just a basic TV type smack, if the culprit is in fact the solder joint on the instrument cluster after one or two of these whacks the indicators will light up and any dead gages will begin to indicate, at that point you can start the van again with out a problem.

Here is a link to a post where others have had the same problem used this method to get going again
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=210076

Until you can get the cluster fixed this little tip may get you going and keep you from getting stranded, and it's very theraputic to hit the van when it wont start (just kidding)
Take a look at the posts below for a ton of other info.

When I did my cluster repair I took some pics, here is the link to those,
http://www.ingriddijkers.com/CaravanPics.html

In the links below there is another link to a individual that also took some pics that really really show step by step instructions for the repair, he really did a nice job!

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=426143

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=756831

Hope this gets you pointed in the right direction Tiger77,

Best of luck
Keep us posted
Bob

Thank you all for the suggestions and for the links to other postings. My van is currently in the shop and the mechanic said there seems to be oil leaking out through the front valve cover gasket and getting on the wires to the starter. He's going to fix that and thinks that will take care of the problem. It sounded feasible when he described it, but after reading all the postings about the cracked solder joints, I don't know. I will mention that possibility to him and see if he'll check it for me. (I know nothing about car repairs.) The description the others gave sounded exactly like what is happening with my van, except that I can't remember if the guages work or not when it won't start. Sounds like a pretty common problem with the '98 vans from Dodge and Chrysler! I really liked the suggestion about smacking the dash as it might "kill two birds with one stone"--get the van to start and curb my frustration! :-) I'll let you know more later.

tiger77