'96 Caravan Cold startup issue

[PARoadRunner]

I'm kind of a car newb so this might be an obvious problem to some of you, but here goes. Just last week my caravan began having starting problems after not being used for a few days. The first time, I turned the key, the car started and ran on idle for about a minute before turning off. I tried and tried to turn it on, but there were no clicks, no sounds, just the LED panel turned on when i turned the key, no engine activity at all.

About an hour after this happened I tried again and the car started right up, no problems.

Just yesterday I tried turning the car on after it had been unused for 2 days. The car again would not start, no noises at all. After a little while, I tried again and the engine started.

I think it is an electrical problem but being a novice I dont know what might cause something like this. THe battery connection to the engine? Thanks to anyone who replies

[yogi_123rd]

If it's electrical, it could be the neutral safety switch. That's the switch attached to the transmission's gear selection arm/cable and enforces that the car can only start in Park or Neutral. When it don't start, you can try wiggling the shifter arm a bit and try restarting the car.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by PARoadRunner

I'm kind of a car newb so this might be an obvious problem to some of you, but here goes. Just last week my caravan began having starting problems after not being used for a few days. The first time, I turned the key, the car started and ran on idle for about a minute before turning off. I tried and tried to turn it on, but there were no clicks, no sounds, just the LED panel turned on when i turned the key, no engine activity at all.

About an hour after this happened I tried again and the car started right up, no problems.

Just yesterday I tried turning the car on after it had been unused for 2 days. The car again would not start, no noises at all. After a little while, I tried again and the engine started.

I think it is an electrical problem but being a novice I dont know what might cause something like this. THe battery connection to the engine? Thanks to anyone who replies

I would have the battery tested , sounds weak to me . Weak batteries can cause all sorts of weird problems in these vans . Pull it and have it load tested at your local parts store .

[PARoadRunner]

One more thing I notice, aside from a ton of rust on the connection clamp (horizontal clamps on baterry), is that the only times Ive had this problem was when I left the car outside overnight. Could temperature changes be a factor? (its not especially cold or hot where I am)

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by PARoadRunner

One more thing I notice, aside from a ton of rust on the connection clamp (horizontal clamps on baterry), is that the only times Ive had this problem was when I left the car outside overnight. Could temperature changes be a factor? (its not especially cold or hot where I am)

It certainly can be a factor on a weak battery . I would try that first as it doesn't cost anything to have it load tested .