93 Villager Won't Start..need help

[samdiego]

My '93 Villager was running fine.
Suddenly after a stop it would not start.
Dash lights were dim & I could hear the starter barely turning over engine but not enough to start it.
I got a boost & it started right up.
The tester guage showed 14.46 at the battery engine running. Battery alone was 12.67V.
Turned off engine & it would not restart.
Found positive cable to starter had loose connection..tightened nut.
Still would not start. Negative cable connections all tight.
Battery cable clamps at the battery posts tight & clean.
Removed the battery & it tested 9.96V so I installed another battery testing at 12.49V..it started up.
A few hours later it would not re-start.

Could it be the voltage regulator malfunctioning or is there a battery drain of some sort?
The Van runs as normal once started.

Visit my home page http://abra.homestead.com/villager.html

[tempfixit]

What was the voltage of the battery that you installed when you tryed to start the vehicle after it sat for a while???? Diconnect the negeative battery cable and let it sit for a little while until all the computers and such go to sleep. I would guess about 20 minutes, using a voltmeter attach on lead to the battery cable and one lead to the battery post and see what kind of draw you have. IF it is a high draw then start removing IP fuses until you find the culpert that causes the high draw.

How many miles on vehicle and has the starter ever been replaced or repaired. I would also check the voltage draw while trying to start the engine. Could be the armature or bruses are bad in the starter.

[samdiego]

The voltgage of the battery was 10.26V.
There are 145,000 miles on the vehicle.
I dont believe that the starter has ever been replaced.
I am appreciative for your tips & will do them & get back to you.
Thank you very much.

[samdiego]

The alternator, solenoid, starter, and relays all proved to be working fine.
All analysis pointed to two bad batteries even though they had normal 12.68V readings.
Put in a brand new Optima battery and all appears okay and starting is quick again.
It's good to be mobile once again.
Thanks tempfixit for your time & suggestions