Another problem with 99 caravan

[Tricks4u]

Well with the help from you guys I fixed the climate control unit, it was bad, now I have another problem as I had posted before the van made a noise when it was cold soon as it warmed up it stopped, it was like something was loose. Anyway now (the last 2 days) when the van was cold it didn't want to start it dragged like the battery was dead with a slight clicking noise ( like it sounds when the battery is dead)

I replaced the battery 2 years ago so I don't think thats what it is for a few reasons one being that when I try to start it, it sounds like the battery is dead but after a few trys with it dragging to start is the only way I can think of describing it, the van will start and keep starting after that until it sits for a few hours (over night) any ideas? I have the van in the shop I just didn't feel well enough to mess with it, the only thing I can think of is the alternator but the battery charges after it has started.
Thanks,
lata....Tricks

[Tricks4u]

I'm mad as hell right now, I think I was taken by the place I took my van today with the problem above. The dude tells me its my alternator so I take it to the auto parts store with me and have it checked reads good! go back and tell them this and they tell me it's a bearing going bad, that it'll still charge but it can lock up at any time but if I like they'll put the old one back and just charge me 70 bucks for checking it!

Well hell it's only 90 to put it in, so knowing that it's not really the problem to start with but due to the fact I have over 100000 miles on it I replace it anyway.

So here I'am with almost 300 dollars in the van if you count the cost of the part and I may still have the same problem! and if not I'm guessing it is either a cable or the battery just needed charged and I'm out 300 bucks!

I'm hoping someone we tell me that those testers can give you a false reading, the lady who worked at Advance Auto says that the thing is top of the line and test under a load if that's the case then the gas station had me buy something I didn't even need..tell me it ain't soooooooooooo
lata...tricks

[yogi_123rd]

This second problem of hard starting sounds like the battery is not holding the charge. Even new batteries can have defective cells I believe the battery and tire garages have a machine that can check this possibility out.

[Tricks4u]

Originally Posted by yogi_123rd

This second problem of hard starting sounds like the battery is not holding the charge. Even new batteries can have defective cells I believe the battery and tire garages have a machine that can check this possibility out.

That's what I was thinking but heres the strange part when it did it last night it drug like ruurr ruur ruur about three times thne started, when ever I have had a battery do this it dies when trying to start, the other thing is it is fine after it starts until it sits over night, that sounds like you said it's not holding a charge but wouldn't it die out while trying to start?
lata...Tricks

[chigger_ns]

It sounds like battery time. And your bearing could have been bad too. I dont think you were taken but had two seperat problems.

[Tricks4u]

Originally Posted by chigger_ns

It sounds like battery time. And your bearing could have been bad too. I dont think you were taken but had two seperat problems.

Well I think you are right I did some test today and everything pointed toward a battery, I changed it and all is well so far I'll know for sure in the morning after it has sat overnight.

The thing is I paid them to tell me what the problem was I'm on a fixed income and made sure they knew that and only wanted to fix what was causing it not to start, that reason was the battery though I think the battery might have been run down from the alternator going bad so if I wouldn't have changed them both the alt may have messed up the new battery it just bothers me that they guessed at what the problem was by telling me it was the alternator just because it was making a sound, if they would have ran test on it like I did they would have told me I needed a battery but the alternator had a bearing going out instead of telling me the alternator was bad. Like I said I had the alternator checked it showed it was good this machine tested it as if it was in the van and under load, I guess if a bearing is going bad it doesn't show up?
thanks
tricks

[chigger_ns]

The noise , is it gone? That noise was the bad bearing. When the bearing totally fails The alternator stops altogether. You could have just bought the battery , but in a month or two you would of had to replace the alternator anyway.

[Tricks4u]

Yep the sound is gone!!! the RPMS are where they should be again also before they went up then down and once they got low the sound would start until it got warm.

You see the problem I have with this is I'm on a fixed income and I could have gotten by for now with just the battery this month and did the alternator when next months check came in.

The other thing is the battery was still under warranty with them and would have cost me 40 bucks to replace VS the 300 it cost me in parts and labor! only to have to get the battery anyway add to the fact that I told them that I didn't think the aslernator was the problem and they tell me well we can put the old one back and just charge you 69.99 for the diagnostic charge!

A diagnostic charge that they aren't sure what the problem is. At one point he told me to replace both to be sure I'm safe but then said he thought the battery would hold a charge, I could guess and throw parts at the thing myself. I guessed Battery, or cables or starter, or alternator.
okay guys lata....
Tricks