1993 Dodge Caravan Starter?

MOSANDER

MEMBER
1993 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

My Caravan's starter (I think) is acting up. When it is engaged, it grunts doesn't start; I can cross the solenoid, sometimes several times, and it starts normally. Is this the starter, or one of the electrical doo-hickies in the circuit? It makes some difference if the vehicle is placed in neutral (starts more often) than in park.

Thanks in advance, Mosander

1 Reply

CH112063

MECHANIC
1,320 POSTS

There is an ignition signal to a relay, if this relay finds ground throught the transmission range switch the relay closes and current is sent to the starter solenoid. This transaxle switch must be in nuetral or park for the relay to ground. You probably found the problem when you tried it in other gears. There may be a problem with that switch on the front of the car, it mounts on the transmission, but is in front behind the lower radiator, you'll see two switches on the lower corner where the pan meets the trans. There may be something wrong with the wiring or plug but I think it's just that switch. Replace it.
This nuetral switch has 3 wires, brown/yellow, a dark blue, and a violet/black wire. 3 wires the park/nuetral switch.