1997 Dodge Caravan It won't start.

Nothing happened when I rapped on the starter with a hammer while in crank position. The dashboard lights do dim a bit (seems normal) when turning the key into crank position. I assumed dashboard as you weren't really that specific about what lights. ;)

Do I suspect a starter replacement? To my knowledge and knowing the previous owners, that the starter has never been replaced.

Jason

I'll check into that. I am a hands on kinda guy and understand some of these things. What I'll do with the starter to start with is loosen it up and reinstall it. Perhaps the bendix is stuck out or something of the sort. The bendix shaft is greasable isn't it? If so maybe I can get into it and give it another lube. If that is the case, do you have any lube recommendations? If all else fails, I'll replace the starter.

So far, your suggestions have made alot of sense and I thank you much!

Jason

I decided not to get into the rebuild of the starter due to time. I did replace it just today.

I still have a problem in that it seems to be turning the flywheel but not enough to get full rotation to start. I had my son start it up while I watched the belt to see if it was turning at all. It wasn't much but some. As soon as it would turn a bit and limit out for what ever reason, then it would start to click. So if I could put sound to text. It would go something like: Ruughhh Rughhhh. Click click click. Before the new starter the only noise was the solenoid. I think I have gained in the resolve but not quite there yet. Any suggestions?

I did loosen the starter up after the first initial install to see if I had it lined up right, but it seemed really cut and dry for installation, is there any possible way it could be out of alignment from install? It went in just as easy as it came out. Simple enough.

Another thing I noticed was when I turn the key to crank position the dash lights go out (no lights).

J

Ok, I finally got the van started today. I had to jump the battery as it wasn't giving enough juice to the starter. While having it jumped it didn't start right away, so I let it sit for about 10 min and it gave enough charge to turn over. Yay! Now I can get it to a mechanic for some computer testing.

Now for the next issue. When it is cold in the morning the van starts just fine, idols great, all is good until I put the van into drive, then it dies. After about 10 min of warming up it will go but it will be hesitant and the need to step on the gas more than usual is relevant for it's departure. This really only happens when the van is cold. Once on the road, it is good the rest of the day.

J

"When it is cold in the morning the van starts just fine, idols great, all is good until I put the van into drive, then it dies. After about 10 min of warming up it will go but it will be hesitant and the need to step on the gas more than usual is relevant for it's departure. This really only happens when the van is cold. Once on the road, it is good the rest of the day."

Bumping this up hoping for some help.

J

I did pull off the throttle body and pulled out the IAC valve from the TB. The valve had a fair amount of carbon (black soot). It seemed maybe it wasn't seeting flush to the housing when operating due to the carbon? Anyways. I cleaned the valve and the TB as good as I could with brake cleaner. The valve wasn't extended beyond an inch so that was good news.

Being that the issue only happens when the engine is cold, I'll have to try it in the morning. I'll do the procedure for relearning idle before I attempt to drive it out.

Your suggestion toward the carbon was what a friend of a friend (dodge mechanic) told me a while back, so thanks for the confirmation. Last time I didn't take the throttle body off, I just cleaned the best I could with it installed. Thanks for inspiring me to do a more thorough job of what I should have did last time.

I'll post more after the morning test with a cold engine.

Thanks!

Jason