1996 Dodge Caravan start & charge

JHARDY

MEMBER
1996 DODGE CARAVAN

Electrical problem
1996 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

once and a while van acts like dead battery put in new alt. For charging problem with some avail now
sometimes when warm runs ruff, dies, clicks like dead battery but will all of a sudden crank and start
50/50 whether it will run right or continue for short while before working right where do I look next

3 Replies

INTERNETMECHANIC

MECHANIC
700 POSTS

If you have a digital multimeter, with everything turned off, Take a reading across the battery posts, the generic spec for a full charge is around 12.6 volts. Make sure all battery connections on both ends are clean and tight. Next, when the problem occurs, I'd have to check the circuits at the starter relay, in power distribution center, under the hood. Voltage to the load switch side of relay, is hot all the time. Voltage to the coil side of relay, goes hot with key in the crank position. Computer grounds coil side of relay, in order to energize.

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Sunday, April 11th, 2010 AT 1:34 PM

JHARDY

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Checked relay as good. Latest was atemp. Jump no good pulled starter benched good put back in charged batt. Clicked finally started. Question is can the starter have an overdraw of power and still work sometimes or where could I have power draw

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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 AT 4:04 PM

INTERNETMECHANIC

MECHANIC
700 POSTS

Did you check wiring circuits at the relay when problem occurs, voltage and ground? Even if the relay is good, if your missing some voltage or ground, the circuit is dead. Did you do a load test on the starter, a no load test isn't worth much. I can't tell what you got going on?

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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 9:31 AM