Starter/Ignition ? Problem 99 Caravan SE

[jmayfield]

My wife has experienced problems over the past two weeks when she turns on the ignition, the van does nothing, but on the second try the van starts.
Tonight, it did it to me. After the van started, I noticed that the starter continued to run. I turned "off" the ignition and the van stoped running, but the starter still continued to run. When I turned the ignition to the "on" position, it would start immediately. The only way I could get the starter to turn "off", was to pull the battery cable.
Anybody experienced this before?!

[tazman]

There is a "bendix" in the starter that is stuck in the engage or on position. Tap the starter with a hammer to dislodge it until you can get it replaced. This is a common problem with all vehicle manufacturers, not just Chryslers. A rebuilt starter from a good company is usually a lot cheaper and more reliable than a brand new starter.

[jmayfield]

Confirmed that the problem was infact the starter. Upon removing the wire that runs from the relay to the solenoid (on the starter), the starter still would run when the battery cable was connected. Starter was replaced with after-market one. Problem FIXED!

[heartland]

Can somebody please tell me where the starter is physically located on my 98 Grand Caravan?

Thanks!

[heartland]

Nevermind..... Last night, our van experienced the exact same problem as described above. I located the starter from the smoke trail it was emitting :o

I will replace tonight and let u all know the outcome.....

[heartland]

Our starter had exact same symptoms as described in this thread. I replaced the starter and now everything works like a champ. No more probs.

[SciFiMan]

Also have a 98 Grand Caravan. If weather gets below -5 the starter seems to stick. Takes 5 to 10 turns of the key to for it to crank normally.

Where is the starter and how hard is it to replace? Local shop wants $350 to do it and I see I can get one from AutoZone for $105-$150. Thanks!

[heartland]

Starter is located on front of engine, driver's side. Just behind the radiator.

[lyle27]

I have a 1996 Caravan ES with a similar problem. Except my starter doesn't keep running. I tried switching the relay but it still does it, although not as often. Usually first start in the morning and then when I am leaving work 9-10hrs later. After it warms up it usually doesn't do it ie. Stopping for Gas.
When it does start, it starts pretty quickly. I am thinking the Starter is still strong.
Do you think it might be the Solenoid (I don't hear a clicking sound) or maybe an electrical connection?
Thanks for any ideas.

[gforster]

If you are inclined, there are replaceable copper contacts inside the starter/solenoid. Go to your local auto electric place and buy the plunger and the 2 copper contacts. Remove the starter and dissasemble - replace and reassemble. You should have no more probs and cost you 1 hour and 20 bucks. Iv'e done this many times it is very easy.

Geoff

[lyle27]

Originally Posted by gforster

If you are inclined, there are replaceable copper contacts inside the starter/solenoid. Go to your local auto electric place and buy the plunger and the 2 copper contacts. Remove the starter and dissasemble - replace and reassemble. You should have no more probs and cost you 1 hour and 20 bucks. Iv'e done this many times it is very easy.

Geoff

Thank you Geoff,
Had I read your reply on Saturday and if the weather was better, i would have definitely tried it. But with the weather being -12 here in toronto, and my pregnent wife driving the van I hurried and bought a new starter. I couldn't afford to get stuck somewhere. I changed myself in under an hour. It seem that you were right, it hasn't done it since.
Thanks again!
Lyle

[Duckperry]

Another thought....
Our 96 GC 3.8L is doing this little trick too. During one of these "no start" episodes, I decided to do a little experimenting. I held the key in the "START" position and while nothing was happening (IE the starter was not engaging/the engine was not turning over) I wiggled the key around in the key hole/starter switch. Released just a little pressure on the key etc. By doing that, suddenly the starter engaged and the engine started.

Coincidence?? Maybe. Is there an (easy) way to test the switch?

Thx.