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1998 Chrysler Town and Country clicking noise

Tiny
MRSJOHNSON32
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
My husband started our van up this morning to go to work. But as he got to the stop sign at the end of the road by our house the van died and would not start again.

Now all it does it make a clicking noise. All the lights still work such as the dash and flashers, etc. But when he tries to start it all we get is that noise and the headlights flicker. Just need to know what could be the cause of my van not wanting to start, please?
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 AT 10:22 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. Make sure the battery is full charged.

Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
MRSJOHNSON32
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The terminals are clean. They still have the coloring on them. Like the red paint looking coat over the Silverstone.

I will check the tightness though. But I do know we had a similar problem once and it ended up being the starter was bad. We replaced it but the little nub was messed up because the nut had come off somehow and a wire was arching and ate some of the threads off that piece. So we had a hard time getting the wire to get positioned back on there with that ate up nub. It took son washers and nuts but we got it. Was thinking that it might be off again or something.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
It could be similar to the old issue, but I like to start at the power supply, the battery. Since the engine died (I assume that isn't a common problem) I'm thinking you lost your power supply. Let me know about the battery. Also, you may want to have the battery load tested. Most parts stores will do it for free.

If you find that the battery is good and all connections are good, then I would suspect the starter. At that point, I would recommend removing the starter and having it bench tested at a parts store. Again, most stores will do this and the load test for free.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
MRSJOHNSON32
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I had the battery charged. The battery tested good. Once we hooked it back up it started back up just fine like there was nothing wrong. The next day my husband, once again took the van somewhere, close by the house thankfully. And the van died again and did the exact same thing. So between me and my brother putting our heads together, have now figured out that it has to be the alternator since the battery isn't keeping a charge like it should. If that sounds plausible please let me know before I spend over a hundred dollars on this part. Thanks again for the help.
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Friday, October 24th, 2014 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Don't get that alternator yet. I need you to test the one in the vehicle. If the battery light isn't coming on, most likely it is good. Do this test and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

If you don't have the tools (volt meter) to do it, disconnect the battery, remove the alternator and take it to a parts store and have it tested.
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Saturday, October 25th, 2014 AT 8:34 PM

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