1997 Plymouth Voyager Starter or alternator?

Tiny
ARTSYGIRL75
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,600 MILES
I have a 1997 Plymouth grand voyager that has about 136,000 miles on it. Yesterday morning it didn't start. I stuck the cables on it and jumped it. It started. However, I am not sure if it was because of the jump or because it just happened to start by fluke. I drove it to work with the dashboard lights flickering and going completely off and then going completely on. Etc. I heard some clicking when it did this. So, I get it to work and it won't restart. I try to jump it and it doesn't start. All I hear when I turn the key is clicking. Now, my question is, if it was the alternator. Would power go on at all. Because when I turn the key, the dashboard lights go on. Some one said it could be the alternator. And some one else said the starter. Any suggestions?
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 AT 1:42 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Have you noticed the charge indicator? It's either a light that comes on when the voltage is low, or a gauge you can see what the output is. Your electrical stuff can go haywire if the battery voltage is low, most sensors and modules need certain level of power to operate. Check the battery the alternator, and your battery cables!
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 AT 1:49 PM
Tiny
ARTSYGIRL75
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, the battery low voltage light did go on. Thanks for asking that. There is some stuff on the battery connection. My friend is going to bring a cleaning brush or whatever tomorrow so we can clean that off. I am clueless when it comes to this stuff. So I appreciate any information you can and have given me. So, it could still be the alternator? Darn.
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You canuse warm water and baking soda, remove the cable and soak the end, do not get any in the battery, or it will kill it!
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Thursday, June 5th, 2008 AT 2:33 AM

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