dodge van

Do you hear one single kind of loud clunk each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank"? If so, check to see if you have the little silver Nippendenso starter.

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no noise at all.

If there's no click from the starter relay, unplug it, then the four terminals in the socket are four quick test points. Grab a test light, ground the clip lead to the battery negative terminal, then probe the four terminals. (Disregard the center terminal which will be empty in the socket).

The test light must light up all the time on one of the terminals.

Have a helper turn the ignition switch to the "crank" position. The test light must light up in one of the other three terminals only when the ignition switch is turned.

Next, move the test light's wire to the battery positive post. Probe the two remaining terminals in the socket. The test light must light up on both of them. If one doesn't, shift between neutral and park a few times and watch if the light flickers.

If you get the proper results on all four terminals, plug the relay back in and feel if it clicks when your helper turns the ignition switch. If it doesn't, switch that relay with one of the other ones like it.

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