96 caravan electrical surges

[bttur]

Tried starting my 96 3.3 liter grand caravan today and it would not start. I checked battery and alternator and both are o.k. When I tried starting the van a continuous clicking sound came from the fuse/relay box on the left side of the steering wheel inside van. I decided to jump start the van to get it going and when I did it started, but instrument cluster, all the lights and the gauges started jumping all around.When I turned on the blinkers a steady clicking sound came from the fuse/relay box also if you have the radio on you can hear engine sound running through the radio. When I gave it gas the the electrical issue got worse. After letting it run for awhile I turned the van off and it would not start again.The night before I moved the van it heistated, but then started. It had been running good before this problem (isn't it always the case).Could the starter cause this problem? Had starter go out on cars before, but never saw this problem.Or could it be electrical? Has anyone came across something like this before. Any advice would be helpful.

[tempfixit]

How old is the battery?
Clean the battery cables ends and posts shiney clean.
Have the battery load tested.
How did you test the battery?

I think your battery is in need of replacement, this will cause all kinds of weird electrical problems.

[RIP]

Just to clarify, what do you mean by not starting? When you turn the key does the engine rotate or do you just hear the clicking relays?

I'll second tempfixit's thoughts. I'll just add jump starting a car to make it start is a sure sign of a weak battery or at least poor connections at the battery or it's ground.

[bttur]

Battery is less than a year old. Had local auto parts store test battery and checked out o.k. Found no loose connections. One thing I didn't mention is when I put the key in the ignition clicking sound started in relay box inside van and lights inside went off and on and would not stop.Nothing else would come on no lights or radio, then it went completely dead.

[bttur]

Just to follow up. Took everyone's advice and brought battery to another auto place and they said battery was marginal. Bought another battery and put it in and van started right up with no lights jumping around/electrical surges. Didn't think it would be that simple. Thanks to everyone's help. Just a side note nice to know with the way cost of living is going up there is place a DIY can go to get really sound advice.

[RIP]

Glad to hear it was an easy fix. Might want to talk to the first place that checked your battery. They apparently need to figure out why they can't get it right. If they blow you off there's always Angie's List. Thanks for posting the fix.