Intermittent Ignition Trouble 94 Caravan

[davinci5156]

3.3L 94 Caravan
Problem just began in last 2 weeks.
I turned key in ignition and got nothing but a click. No turning of starter motor at all. Tried again right away and van started instantly with no problem.
I checked battery connections (new battery in April) . Everything looked fine.
Started fine for a couple of days and then did same thing a few days ago.
No starter motor turnover. Just a click. Started fine next try.
Did it again this morning. Click... nothing Click.. starts fine.

All electrics work fine .. no symptoms of low battery or bad alternator.
No previous electrical/ignition problems, other than a dead battery in April this year.

I'm thinking a dead spot on starter? Or a bad connection somewhere. Or possibly a problem in the key/ignition?

Any ideas would be welcome.. Thanks.

[yogi_123rd]

Your starter is going bad.

The click you are hearing is the starter drive making contact with the flywheel. What should happen next and didn't is that the starter relay (it's part of your starter unit) should make contact and send battery voltage to the starter motor.

The fault could lie with the starter drive teeth not making good contact with the flywheel (dead spot) or with the starter relay contacts being worn. Either way, the starter needs replacement.

[Rick Norwood]

Right-on Yogi. The same exact thing happened to my 94. I replaced the starter and had no more trouble.

[davinci5156]

Thanks for the help...

Good to know it's the starter and get it replaced before it dies on me.

Thanks again..

[Burmman]

OK I also had this problem and I replaced the starter today and for the first 4 times the van started no problems. Now went out and nothing again. This time no click or anything. It seems like after having the battery dissconnected for about 10 minutes or more it resets something in the van and lets it start. Please help.

[autotech234]

I would say you need to put a starter in it. If it leaves you stuck a lot of times you can tap it with a hammer to get it going again to say a tow bill