My van won't start; it won't turn over although the lights come on?

Answer 1

i own a repair shop,and the light will come on even on a battery that is low,but this don't mean it has enough power to start it,you might want to check the solenoid switch on it this will make it not turn over at all and a bad connection to the solenoid switch will also cause it ,you may even have a bad starter on it,its getting cold weather now,and its time for everything to start messing up good that's the way it usually goes this time of year,you might need to take it by an auto shop,and have it checked real good if you get it started back,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.

Answer 2

Do the lights go dim when you turn the key over? It could be a dead battery or a bad connection at the terminals. Try cleaning the battery terminal and try again.

If that does work, see if you're getting spark. Remove one of the plug wires from a plug and hold it near grounded metal. (If the plug end has a long insulated shroud, you may have to improvise to get ground close enough to the end of the wire.) Have someone crank the engine while you watch for spark. If you get an 1/8" or so of spark, that should be enough to fire.

If you don't have a helper, you can do it this way:
Pull the hi-tension lead out of the distributor cap and hold near ground.
With ignition On, turn the engine pulley CW past the TDC mark. You should get some kind of spark, although if you turn slowly the spark may be weak.

Check the distributor cap inside for signs of cracks or carbon arc tracks.
Also, check to see that the little carbon contact for the center terminal is in place; without that you can have spark but it won't get to any plug wires!

Also the connection on the starter couldbe bad. Try taking off the terminals on the starter and give them a good cleaning.

Answer 3

Before you do anything remove the battery terminals from the battery & check for corrosion. Even tho they look clean on the outside they can still be dirty on the inside. Clean both the inside of the terminals & the posts themselves on an older style battery but on newer style sidepost batteries remove the mounting stud (usually 7or8 mm.) & clean both sufaces. Med. grit sandpaper will do the trick if your don't have a terminal cleaner.

If it is a poor starter or solenoid you should at least her a click when you turn the key. Worst case senerio is a defective igition switch but unlikely. Go to the source of power 1st which is the battery. Amuch simpilar test of course is with an ohm meter but it will only check voltage & not amperage. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

1. Low battery charge (lights do not take as much amperage to operate as a starter does turning over your engine).

2. Loose connection or heavily corroded battery cable connection at the battery terminal.

3. Blown fuse.

4. Neutral safety switch malfunctioning.

5. Automatic transmission shifter not fully engaged in the "Park" position.

You do not mention the type or the year of your vehicle. That may also make a difference. Type of transmission?

Answer 5

your starter teeth might be stuck to your fly wheel. try turning the engine by hand and listen for a click from the starter (with the key off) if you hear a click or even after turning a little. try to start it with the key
if you can crank the starter with a screwdriver (making contact with the big wire from the battery and the little wire) at the solenoid then the starter in ok mabe solenoid bad ,some are on the starter and some on the fender wall. it's where the big positive wire goes from the battrery on most vehicles.
good luck

Answer 6

Maybe your battery is low, not enough power to start. Is this the first time you have this problem? If not you might have a fuel pump problem. Also you may not be getting fire to your spark plugs if your coil is defective.

Answer 7

Need more info, but here goes...........You could be needing a new starter..!.........this has happened to us...........or if your lights come on and are very dim, then you know you will need a new battery..........try to find a good mechanic who could check this out in 5 minutes time........goodluck.

Answer 8

clean the cables and charge the battery, then check the voltage when it's running, should be about 14 :)

Answer 9

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