2005 Dodge Caravan will not start

jamesgrega · Posted at Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:08 am

Engine Mechanical problem
2005 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Automatic 89,000 miles

when I turn key al guages jump to complete foward position and the back to original setting engine does not turn over , noise like starter trying to engage.

jdl123 · Posted at Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:24 am

Welcome to the forum, thanks for the donation, are you saying it cranks good but won't start, or the starter won't even crank?

jamesgrega · Posted at Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:47 pm

It will not turn over at all.
headlights work and interior lights working.
Instrument panel guages all move to max postion then come back to normal.
The speedometer indicator moves all the way to 120 the falls back to 0. Radio will not come on.

jdl123 · Posted at Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:08 am

i'd make sure the battery has a full charge and the connections are good. Next, I'd get at the starter relay, underhood, power distribution center/integrated power module. Check the relay circuits, voltage and ground.

Do you think the theft system may be causing a problem? My info says the first 6 attemps to start is fuel disable after that the starter won't even crank. You may need to check for codes.

jamesgrega · Posted at Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:26 am

I will check battery charge however the guages moving like they do when I turn the key, just to on not a full turn to start engine, the lights working interior and headlights and then no radio leads me to think electrical rather than a battery problem, I have not tried to jump it but plan to do that tomorrow.
I have only tried to get it to turn over maybe three or four times. I will loosen and tighten cables to the battery before I try jump jump just to be sure.
I think ground problem and do not know where to start with that. Where do I locate the relay you mentioned, on right or left side of engine?
Thanks

jdl123 · Posted at Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:18 pm

The integrated power module should be under the hood, driver side. The relay should be inside the box.
your probably right about electrical issue, I always start with basics.