98 voyager, clicking, wont start

[sprucebingsteen]

Need your help.

Last week while reversing out of driveway heard a rapid-fire continous clicking noise. I switched power locks on and off, it stopped. Yesterday the RPM and speedometer didnt work, turned engine on and off then they were fine. Today it wont start. Turn key rapid-fire clicking noise repeatedly. Checked battery terminals and cleaned, still no start.. HELP

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by sprucebingsteen

Need your help.

Last week while reversing out of driveway heard a rapid-fire continous clicking noise. I switched power locks on and off, it stopped. Yesterday the RPM and speedometer didnt work, turned engine on and off then they were fine. Today it wont start. Turn key rapid-fire clicking noise repeatedly. Checked battery terminals and cleaned, still no start.. HELP

Have the battery load tested at the parts store.

[sprucebingsteen]

the battery is fine. could it be either the computer, solenoid or even the starter. whats the diff between ECM and BCM or are they the same.? THX

[jagger71]

Originally Posted by sprucebingsteen

the battery is fine. could it be either the computer, solenoid or even the starter. whats the diff between ECM and BCM or are they the same.? THX

My 98 caravan wouldn't start and had loud clicking sound at one time. I slid underneath and tightened the cable at the alternator and it started next try and hasn't happened since. Worth a try. Mine took 1/4-1/2 a turn.

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by sprucebingsteen

the battery is fine. could it be either the computer, solenoid or even the starter. whats the diff between ECM and BCM or are they the same.? THX

Did you actually have the battery tested?
Last week I had similar experiences with my van, the speedo and tach would work and then stop then start again, also had clicking sounds and the digital odometer would blink, changing the battery fixed everything.

[bjaymo3]

I had the same problem and have now fixed it myself. I bought the "Clickerfixer" on eBaby from the member named "clickerfixer" for $20.99.
Fixed my problem 100%. Installation took all of 15 minutes for the parts. The starter itself was a different story altogether. Just a note; Hayes manuals are terrible resource for starter R&R. Once the starter was back in, it has worked like a brand new one. My van is the 98 GC with the 3.3L engine.

[sprucebingsteen]

All right guys, its acting up again. During this week I noticed that it turned over very weakly. The gauges on the dash( ABS SEARCH ENGINE BATTERY LIGHT) were very weak as well. That caused me to explore. The Battery would read anywhere from 12.0 to 12.4 with vooltmeter but with running it only got to 13.1.....BAD ALTERNATOR!!! Changed it ystdy and was fine for the afternoon, This morning 12.2 but NO START Rapid clicking....banged starter but no turnover...just rapid clicking.....is it the battery again?? thanks to all

[sprucebingsteen]

put a new battery in tonite...vroom vroom vroom....thanks to all

[sprucebingsteen]

Here's the latest. After the battery and alternator replaced, van great for a week. Battery lite came on and I thought WTF?... realized the alternator arked and blew wire at back. Wiring problem ?... I take to the Dealer and they fixed wire and put in new alternator. Now I have a continuos squeeking sound under the hood. If I coast its bearable when I accelerate VERY LOUD....any ideas.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by sprucebingsteen

Here's the latest. After the battery and alternator replaced, van great for a week. Battery lite came on and I thought WTF?... realized the alternator arked and blew wire at back. Wiring problem ?... I take to the Dealer and they fixed wire and put in new alternator. Now I have a continuos squeeking sound under the hood. If I coast its bearable when I accelerate VERY LOUD....any ideas.

Only when rolling down the road? Brakes, suspention, drivetrain. Sitting idling in drive with your foot on the brake? Accessory drive area, maybe even your brand new second alternator. Use a short length of garden hose cupped to your ear or a mechanics stethoscope ($15) to pinpoint the noise if applicable.

[sprucebingsteen]

when i turn the engine on a slight squeek .. put in gear R or D...and acceleratre VERY LOUD!.... could in be a simple as the belt?... i have had it off a number of times with the alternator recently and the dealer must have had it off... however its only a year old

[mikefaster]

Sounds like a loose belt... Maybe it was put on wrong or it was stretched... If you had a lot of alternator problems, the alternator can get hot and overheat causing the belt to stretch... Also, sometimes the tensioner can be "stuck" in place, meaning not springing back... Try to take a 15mm wrench and make the tensioner apply more force and see if the noise goes away... If it does, then that tensioner won't last too long...

Mike

[Mbriggs]

Sounds very much like an alignment issue with the belt. A while back we had an older cheap belt shred and we replaced it with a good gates belt. It shreaked like metal on metal for a week until it too shredded. Turns out that the idler pully was failing and out of alignment, causing the sheaking. Replaced the pully and the belt and all was well. Yes, the noise increased with acceleration!! Mine was a '96 and I currently own a '97, '98 and '99.

Good luck!!!