1999 Grand Caravan won't contact starter when key turned but full dash activity.

Asked by GuruJXB1S Jul 28, 2020 at 02:05 PM about the Dodge Caravan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Had towed to mechanic 3 weeks ago because no electrical activity at all when
turned key. Replaced alternator, charged relatively new battery. Sat for 3
weeks. Now, in cool morning, turned key gets full dash activity but no starter
contact. In hot afternoon, starts right up. Steering wheel not locked when key
removed. Same thing happens on three different days.No start when cool.

3 Answers

27,730

If the starter motor won't crank the engine, I usually jump the starter relay, just to see if starter will crank the engine. In the past on different vehicles, I've been able to start the vehicle with this method. If you try that, make sure the transmission is in park or neutral and the parking brake is set. Make sure the vehicle can't move. Key on, jump the relay, see if it starts? the relay has two sides, the load side and the control side. The control side of relay needs voltage and ground in order to energize relay and send voltage to starter motor. at the relay jump cavities 30 and 87 with jumper wire, the starter motor should crank the engine. I realize jumping the relay is not a fix, but, might get you out of a bind. I'd have to do testing to track the problem?

Neither answer was the solution. Issue still unsolved. Shop said car computer did not reveal any problems. The car started every morning and afternoon for three days at shop after replacing starter switch. I paid them.Went to the car and the car would not start. Everything on dash still works, no clicks, no starter connection. They still have the car.

Mechanic said car starts when fuse box jiggled. Took car to Dodge dealer. A very experienced service advisor says it is not the fuse box but highly likely the instrument cluster has an electronic connection that is made if jiggled. He found a sharp hit to the top of the dash will cause a connection, until he can get to it on August 31.

Your Answer:

Caravan

Looking for a Used Caravan in your area?

CarGurus has 42 nationwide Caravan listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Paul
    Reputation
    2,080
  • #2
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    1,610
  • #3
    Dan Ritz
    Reputation
    1,540
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Dodge Grand Caravan
281 Great Deals out of 5,654 listings starting at $1,692
Used Toyota Sienna
668 Great Deals out of 11,306 listings starting at $775
Used Chrysler Pacifica
722 Great Deals out of 15,717 listings starting at $2,995
Used Honda Odyssey
795 Great Deals out of 19,491 listings starting at $1,200
Used Chrysler Town & Country
154 Great Deals out of 2,438 listings starting at $1,436
Used Dodge Durango
814 Great Deals out of 19,773 listings starting at $850
Used Dodge Journey
243 Great Deals out of 4,109 listings starting at $1,299
Used Kia Sedona
73 Great Deals out of 992 listings starting at $1,950

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.