98 Dodge Caravan, wont start

[NMUA]

I recently purchased my caravan. I recently drove over 400 miles in my caravan. When I returned home on one occassion it would not start. It has always started with or problem. I turned the key and it wouldn't start. I turned it about 3 more times and then it finally started. I hear a clicking noise when I turn the key. I would suspect that the starter is going out. Does this car have an antitheft mechanism? Please share what you think. Do you think I should replace the starter?

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by NMUA

I recently purchased my caravan. I recently drove over 400 miles in my caravan. When I returned home on one occassion it would not start. It has always started with or problem. I turned the key and it wouldn't start. I turned it about 3 more times and then it finally started. I hear a clicking noise when I turn the key. I would suspect that the starter is going out. Does this car have an antitheft mechanism? Please share what you think. Do you think I should replace the starter?

this sounds more like a weak battery problem . Pull the battery and have it load tested at the local auto parts store before worrying about a starter problem .

[yogi_123rd]

Check that the battery is good first. Batteries are good for only 4-5 years.

The clicking noise is a classic sympom of a bad starter. If it isn't the battery, replace the starter.

Starters go bad in progressively worse stages. First it fails occationally, and later most of the time. The click you hear is a solonoid engaging the starter drive gear with the flywheel. When fully engaged, a mechanical arm makes contact with an electrical relay to send battery voltage to the starter. In bad starters, either the drive gear fails to make full contact with the flywheel (starter drive is most likely worn or damaged) or the starter's electrical relay is not making proper contact (burnt or pitted contacts). The relay, solonoid and drive gear are all part of the starter and you usually replace the starter as a unit.

[NMUA]

Now if the battery was weak it would only light up the basic lights in the car correct, and if I jumped the car shouldn't the car start? I will check the battery. If I wanted to replace the starter, it is the same starter for the year 1990-1998?

[destructuring-bind]

I have a similar problem on a '91 voyager. The battery is about 4 years old but the voltage reads 11.87 and does not drop at all (not even 1mv) when the key is turned (gauges and dashboard are active though). There is a faint, brief whirring sound but no turnover.

When I say key of course I mean the screwdriver I now use to start it after some punks decided to take it for a joyride and stripped out the key cylinder. This hasnt prevented it from starting since then, though.

I know nothing about cars. Where is the starter located, and how could I verify it is bad?

[NMUA]

I check the voltage on my battery and it was good, so I just took the starter off. I took it to get tested and it was bad. I just replaced it. It was really inexpensive. Thanks for all the help.


The starter is behind the radiator. It was easily accessible from under the car with a good jack.