Starter not cranking over the engine?

RICARDOCASTRO3005

MEMBER
2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I have had this van since it was new, never had any problems with it. The van sometimes doesn't start, but will start with a jump, how do I fix the won't start intermittently problem?I have replaced the ignition switch before and it fixed the problem for a while but itss back to the same thing, Could it be that the switch went out again or could it be a switch board behind the cluster?Please help

5 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,738 POSTS

What is the symptom? When you replaced the ignition switch, did you see any blackened terminals or melted connector body? This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Wednesday, January 1st, 2014 AT 7:53 PM

RICARDOCASTRO3005

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3 POSTS

I dont know unfortunately, it was changed a few years ago by the Chrysler dealer, but it's doing the same thing again?

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Wednesday, January 1st, 2014 AT 8:04 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
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What is "the same thing"? "Doesn't start" can mean a lot of different things. Does the starter fail to crank the engine? Does it crank the engine but the engine doesn't run? What happens to the brightness of any dash, interior, or head lights when this occurs? Was anything else done recently that involved disconnecting the battery?

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Wednesday, January 1st, 2014 AT 8:17 PM

RICARDOCASTRO3005

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Won't start- lets say I go out to buy lunch and I'm gone for 30 min, an hour, 2hrs. It doesn't matter. When I come back it doesn't start so I call a tow truck, when it gets to the shop it starts and works perfectly no problems. It just won't start sometimes, turn the key and nothing happens, and the battery hasn't been messed with.I have read that this is a common problem with these vans.

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Wednesday, January 1st, 2014 AT 8:28 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,738 POSTS

That means you have a starter system problem, not an engine running problem. There IS a common problem with a very inexpensive fix, but the symptom is you will hear a single rather loud clunk from the starter each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank". That involves replacing the contacts inside the starter solenoid. Most people just replace the entire starter. That costs more than repairing it, but it's faster and easier.

If you don't hear anything when you turn the ignition switch, the first suspect is the range selector switch inside the transmission. Testing that is rather involved unless you have a scanner. That will show the gear the Transmission Computer thinks you've selected. It won't let the starter work if it incorrectly thinks it's not in park. You can try starting the engine in neutral, then again after shifting back to park. If that works, the range switch should be replaced.

See the guide below on testing wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

See the diagram below of your starting system.. this will help you figure out the problem

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