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?

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