Why won't my van turn on?

BUCS963

MEMBER
1999 DODGE CARAVAN

I used it yesterday and all of a sudden it wouldn't turn on today. I checked the battery but it worked in my other car. Tried the car battery and turned on my van but momentarily only. Makes a clicking noise when trying to turn on but won't turn the engine. Heard rattling sound comming from alternator before it wouldn't turn on. Could it be the alternator?

Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 1:20 AM

3 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

How long does it stay running for?
The clicking noise when trying to start sounds like a bad starter or solenoid.
While it's running, use a multimeter to see how much voltage the alternator is producing. It should be between 12.8 and 13.8 Volts.

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Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 2:24 AM

BUCS963

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I stayed on for no more than a minute. My father had removed the cable from the battery and it turned off right away. I wasn't able to test the alternator since it turned off right away. It made the clicking noise with the original battery but not with the new one.

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Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 2:51 AM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Engine dying when positive battery cable is removed usually means a bad alternator. But it should stay running longer than a minute if the battery has any sort of decent charge.

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Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 3:04 AM