van won't start, but lights, radio, AC all work?

Question

My 96 Dodge Caravan won't start. When you turn the key, everything electrical works - AC, windows, radio, etc. But it just clicks once, when you turn the key. It's not the battery - my husband too it to Auto Value, they tested it and said it was bad, so he bought a new one, but it doesn't make a difference.

We just got a new starter 2 years ago, so I don't *think* that's what's wrong, but then, I know next to nothing about cars.

Any suggestions on what may be wrong?

Answer 1

2 yr old starter, you cant trust that, the starter is bad.... get a new one....

Answer 2

if your starter is clicking but won't engage... you have high resistance problems. don't listen to these people who demand you replace your starter. first before spending money to fix something and find out that its not the problem like these silly parts replacer mechanics. find a neighbor or someone with a Digital volt ohm meter or a DVOM or just buy one (their not very expensive) and check for your voltage drop from the positive of your battery to the starter, just follow the big power wire. it should not read more than .5 volts then check from the case of the starter to the negative of the battery. again no more than .5 volts. a loose bolt or an oily connection (if your van has an oil leak this happens often) will cause high resistance. I'm guessing its not a starter failure but more likely a loose bolt and a dirty connection. check all your connections first before jumping to replace this man... a single click means the solenoid is engaging and the plunger is pulling out the gear but there is not enough voltage to spin the motor. it doesn't matter if your battery has a million volts if there is only 2 volts making the connection your never going to create enough electromagnetic force to spin the motor. you can't even perform any starting or charging tests if the battery is below 12.4 volts and a battery at 11 volts is completely dead. its useless... it'll start but not in the cold so its toast.

Answer 3

Is the new battery charged? If so, you have a voltmeter on your dash, probably, that should read above 12 vo;ts with key on. Check your battery connections to be sure they are clean. I wouldn't change the starter, that would be a mistake if you are not positive it is bad. I would suspect the battery or the connections. Did you clean the battery posts and terminals? Everything must be shiny clean. Buy a battery terminal brush and clean em good. If necessary take the battery back and have it checked, it must have at least 13.5 volts or it needs charged. NEVER replace any part till you know the problem.

Answer 4

I'm not sure you can buy a converter that will run a window unit and theoretically the unit will put out as much heat as cold air so that may not be a good idea unless it can be vented to the outside. i would serious consider repairing the van ac. it might be a lot less headache and wasted money in the long run.

Answer 5

Ignition switch could be bad but I'm thinking a bad neutral safety switch---try wiggling the shifter when you turn the key to start or shift to neutral. Tapping on the starter solenoid with a hammer handle may get it to start too if the solenoid is bad or sticking.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

replace your starter.

Answer 8

I bet you it's your alternator!!