Intermittent Crank (Battery?)
FordBoss88
08-02-2009, 08:35 PM
Hello Friends,
I have a 2002 Grand Caravan. It has a new issue. When you try to start the van, it acts like the battery is completely dead. Then you try it again and it starts right up. I have cleaned the battery posts, yet the issue persists. What do you suppose is happening?
Thank You,
Fordboss88
I have a 2002 Grand Caravan. It has a new issue. When you try to start the van, it acts like the battery is completely dead. Then you try it again and it starts right up. I have cleaned the battery posts, yet the issue persists. What do you suppose is happening?
Thank You,
Fordboss88
denisond3
08-02-2009, 10:01 PM
What you have experienced can happen if the battery terminals are either not tight on the posts of the battery, or the connection is corroded. When I put a battery terminal (end of the cable) back onto one of the posts, I use a penknife to lightly scrape away the lead oxide coating from the outside of the post, and from the insides of the battery terminal.
It could also be a bad ground connection where the negative cable connects to the engine block or transmission. It could also be a worn or dirty neutral-safety switch. This is the goody the keeps the starter from engaging when the tranny is not in Park or Neutral. If the car has been in a fender-bender, the shifter can get jarred enough to cause the switch to malfunction. They can also just go bad from noral use. Try turning the ignition key to the start position, and wiggling the shifter in Park.
It could be some other problem, but the two above are fairly common ones.
If your car has the type of ignition key with the 'chip' in the black plastic of the top of the key - then the car's computer has to see the response from that 'chip' to the pulse sent out from the area of the ignition switch - so that could be a reason for the starter not to work.
It could also be a bad ground connection where the negative cable connects to the engine block or transmission. It could also be a worn or dirty neutral-safety switch. This is the goody the keeps the starter from engaging when the tranny is not in Park or Neutral. If the car has been in a fender-bender, the shifter can get jarred enough to cause the switch to malfunction. They can also just go bad from noral use. Try turning the ignition key to the start position, and wiggling the shifter in Park.
It could be some other problem, but the two above are fairly common ones.
If your car has the type of ignition key with the 'chip' in the black plastic of the top of the key - then the car's computer has to see the response from that 'chip' to the pulse sent out from the area of the ignition switch - so that could be a reason for the starter not to work.
RIP
08-04-2009, 01:23 AM
Could be those nasty starter solenoid contacts in the starter. Next time it clicks or does nothing, turn the key to start then tap the starter with a hammer. If it cranks right away either replace the starter or the contacts themselves for half the price.
smurfcorpse
09-01-2009, 09:23 AM
I have a 98 GCV and it does something similar. A relay/ fuse box is next to the battery. If I pop off the cover and hit the relays with my fist it starts right up. It may work for months or I may have the same problem in a few weeks. It is very intermittent.
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