2001 Dodge Caravan Electrical/Starter Problems

Tiny
HISTORIASTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
There are two major problems which both seem to have started at the same time. The car's starter motor will not engage when the battery is fully charged, and all we get is some clicking form under the hood. This initially made me suspect the starter/starter solenoid.

However, since recharging the battery and leaving it in overnight, I came back in the morning to a very flat battery. Something drained it overnight, and regular clicking noises were coming from near the fusebox, and also near the alternator.

So in summary, the car won't start AND the battery suffers a parasitic drain. Both problems started at the same time. Any ideas?
Tuesday, December 24th, 2013 AT 3:21 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,883 POSTS
A common cause of this is a bad battery. Charge it for an hour at a slow rate, then measure the voltage. It should be 12.6 volts. If you find 12.2 volts, it's okay but still discharged. If you find around 11 volts, it has a shorted cell and must be replaced. At that voltage some computers will not go to sleep mode and will drain the battery.
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Tuesday, December 24th, 2013 AT 3:55 PM

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