2002 Dodge Caravan

"Dan" wrote in message

> Can I use the trick of grounding the starter to see if it turns over.
> I believe my problem is one of three things. Either the Battery,
> starter, or ignition switch. Do you agree? I know the battery is
> good. Is there a way besides the one mentioned above to isolate the
> problem?
>

Took a chance that this was your email address listed on Gmail auto message
board. I am the one with the caravan that will not start. Did you get my
message asking whether I should ground the starter or not? Dan
I reply to so many threads I normally dont answer e mails because the
original post is not with your e mail. If the starter is bolted to the
engine it is grounded as long as the ground wire is attached and secure. If
this is the post I replied to about the starter contacts try tapping on the
starter while someone try's to start the engine, I bet it cranks.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech
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It did not crank. There was no clicking sound when the ignition was
cranked. I measured 13 volts at the battery. When I cranked it the
volts dropped to 11.5. I went under the van and located the starter.
I tapped on it. Still nothing. I was unable to touch the positive to
the negative to see if I could get the stater to turn. This is because
on this vehicle, the starter has a negative post and a plug for the
positive side. I used my meter and put one lead into the plug and one
onto the neg connector. When the engine was cranked I did not get any
voltage on my meter. I believe this is an indication that no power is
getting to the starter due to a bad electrical part in the system. Any
guesses on this, based on the new information? I am thinking starter
relay or ignition switch. Would you get a check engine light if the
starter relay was bad?
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"Dan" wrote in message

> It did not crank. There was no clicking sound when the ignition was
> cranked. I measured 13 volts at the battery. When I cranked it the
> volts dropped to 11.5.

you need to see if you have battery voltage at the terninal at the starter,
the one with the nut on it. if you do, then you need to see if you have 12
volts on the starter solonoid connector, this is also on the starter. The
small black connector. If you have nothing at the black connector when
someone tries to start it you need to check fuses and neutral safety switch.

You have to tap on the starter as someone is trying to crank it or you arent
doing anything at all. I have no idea what you mean by touching positive to
negative, but its not a good idea to short out the battery!! And I have no
idea where you put the volt meter, sorry makes no sense to me.

I went under the van and located the starter.
> I tapped on it. Still nothing. I was unable to touch the positive to
> the negative to see if I could get the stater to turn. This is because
> on this vehicle, the starter has a negative post and a plug for the
> positive side. I used my meter and put one lead into the plug and one
> onto the neg connector. When the engine was cranked I did not get any
> voltage on my meter. I believe this is an indication that no power is
> getting to the starter due to a bad electrical part in the system. Any
> guesses on this, based on the new information? I am thinking starter
> relay or ignition switch. Would you get a check engine light if the
> starter relay was bad?
>
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I really appreciate your help. I am sorry I am a little confusing. I
did tap on the starter when we were trying to crank and still nothing.
If you remember older cars the starter had two posts on the top. One
was the positive and one was the negative. If the vehicle would not
start and you suspected the ignition switch you could use a screwdriver
and short across those two posts with the ignition switch on the
starter would spin. Essentially, you were completing the same circuit
that is completed when you turn the ignition switch. If the starter
did not engage than you had a bad starter. That is what I am referring
to. I thought this was a fairly common troubleshooting trick. I had
no volts at the starter terminal so I am fairly sure we have a relay or
fuse problem. It is going into the shop today. Thank you very much
for your help. Dan
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"Dan" wrote in message

> I really appreciate your help. I am sorry I am a little confusing. I
> did tap on the starter when we were trying to crank and still nothing.
> If you remember older cars the starter had two posts on the top. One
> was the positive and one was the negative. If the vehicle would not
> start and you suspected the ignition switch you could use a screwdriver
> and short across those two posts with the ignition switch on the
> starter would spin. Essentially, you were completing the same circuit
> that is completed when you turn the ignition switch. If the starter
> did not engage than you had a bad starter. That is what I am referring
> to. I thought this was a fairly common troubleshooting trick. I had
> no volts at the starter terminal so I am fairly sure we have a relay or
> fuse problem. It is going into the shop today. Thank you very much
> for your help. Dan
>
Sorry to say Dan but your wrong, that starter system is very easy, the wire
that goes to the starter is direct feed to the battery, if you do not have
12volts at that main wire ,trace it back to the battery, either the battery
is bad, or a loose connection at the battery + terminal or a faulty wire.

And by the way, you really did give your age away with that trick to short
out the starter solenoid if you are referring to a Chrysler product.
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Did you try pounding on the driverside dashboard infront of the message
center? I have a 1998 with a similar sounding problem and read on one
of these posts that there is a bad connection in the instrument cluster
circuit board. If you give the dash one good thump mine will then
start. Others have reported the same.
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