Van won't start but lights work
Lights come on but all I hear is a click what can it be?
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I've had this problem before. The problem turned out to be a bad ground between the engine block and negaive on the baytery. A cheap test. Connect one side of a set of jumper cables between the metal on the engne and the battery negative. If it starts that's your problem.
A fix trace and replace the bad connection. Cheap reoair jump beteen the battery negative and the engine block.
I've use the cheap fix and gotten YEARS of good service from the fix. YMMV
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My Dodge Grand caravan sxt 3.8v6 just clicks and won't start. Can someone please help me with the problem?
Kevin Booker have you checked on anything that was written here as answers to the similar question?
I have same issue. The battery is fine, replaced the starter, that's either not it or bad, and he tried to jump it bypassing the starter. It wouldn't start.
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More than likely its a dead battery. Dead batteries have enough juice to power the lights, but not enough power to turn the engine over. The clicking noise is the relay switch on the starter moving the gear into position to turn the engine over. It cant because the battery is weak.
Try to get a jump start to confirm the dead battery.
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Yes the battery is dead
When I put the jumper cables to it all my lights come on but soon as I go to start it it just clicks I’m thinking my battery is just to dead at the moment
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sherrylynn "I hear is a click" would make me consider that you are having issues with the starter etc. If your light is on and stays on while (same brightness) you try to start your vehicle means that your starter is not even drawing any power from the battery. You could try and "hotwire" your starter. For more information we would need your exact model year and engine size.
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3.8L V6 is the size of engine
3.8L is the engine size
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I would add a comment. If the bad connection is a problem you MAY have a much less bad connection between your aluminum metal on your radiator and the battery negative. Can be tested with the vehicle off but ignition on and off or with the vehicle running.
Take a multi meter and measure the voltage between the negative batter (actual physical negative post) and any (aluminum) metal point of the radiator grid if you see small mili-voltes then you have a potential galvanic corrosion. Lots of fancy ways to fix but the simplest is to take a 16 or 18 gauge wire (I prefer stranded) between the aluminum metal on the radiator and the negative battery (terminal, post or cable just so the connection is close to the battery post).
What you gain is not having to replace the radiator periodically for small leaks and big bucks.
In our fleet we typically ONLY perform this fix when we replace have a leaking radiator. As a precaution we do perform the test in our annual PMI
A last caution some dealerships will as a matter of policy remove these fixes and charge you for the work.
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I am having the same issue.
From My experience and knowledge of DC Electrical systems I believe it could be…
The ground wire (negative). The connection between the ground or (-)/the black terminal/negative lead (post)on the battery and the end of the wire where it connects to the lower part of the engine on the right side.
OR
The Neutral Safety Switch.
OR
The ignition (we here you put the key) is bad.
OR
The stock anti-starting portion of the stock security system. Or a add on Security system.
OR
A bad fuse
OR
The Starter Relay needs to be checked. Because it might be in need of replacement.
OR
A connection somewhere on the Starter or between the Battery and the Starter.
Check to make sure It is all the way in Park (P) or Neutral (N).
Check the fuses, Starter Rpelay and connections and the ground wire.
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Use a starting jump cable between the negatve post of the battery and the engine block if it starts yiu have a bad connection between negative batter and engine block. you can fix the connection or tak a HD cable between the negative post (or cabing) and the enginblock. We hav an )$ caravn the has been runnng well with this patch for near 10 years
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That would be awesome to find out because Mine sits no crank, no fuel. But I jumped the starter relay pin 30 to the hot post and it turns over just fine (no fuel/spark tho) Imma try this and see, I suspect the ground/Neg because it seems everything else is showing ok.
The van won't turn start
Update (05/14/23)
The van turns over but it won't start
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12 Comments
All dash lights work no sound from starter.
by Paul Urban
When I put jumper cables to it all my come on but soon I go to start it it’s just that clicking noise
by mtomoney50
Wrong person sorry
by mtomoney50
I have 2006 dodge caravan replaced starter couple months ago and now my van won't start or turn over won't do anything
by Crystal R Stroop
i have 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan it’s turns an make a clicking noise but won’t start
by mtomoney50
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