Bad battery?

Tiny
WHITELEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 20,000 MILES
When I start the van in the morning it just makes a click and after about 6 attempts it will eventually start. It sounds like the battery is dying but I cleaned it off and it seems to be OK. I did notice that engine fluid was almost empty. Do you think that might be why the van wasn't (isn't) starting? Or, am I looking at the radiator, starter/ alternator? Any suggestions? Thanks.
Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 9:03 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Battery load test and check all the fluids and also test the ignition switch/transmission range switch/neutral safety switch, starter relay, and starter. These guides can help us test the battery and then replace it if necessary.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
FALLYN69U
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 172,250 MILES
1999 Dodge Caravan dodge caravan has went through 2 new batteries in a week showing bad but now they say I need an alternator
I had my starter replaced in May, then my battery in June now I have had 2 new batteries in a week, I turn it over and it clicks still has power to headlights and interior both times. I was told my alternator is showing low voltage but would this cause a defect in the batteries and make them show bad when tested, really want to figure this out before I am out another 200.00 on an alternator. I am wondering if the starter could possibly be wired wrong as shortly after this is when the battery issue started and if so what further complications can I expect from this. Any help would be greatly appreciated
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Charge your battery up fully start and idle the engine get a multimeter hook it up to the battery cables turn on the a/c head lights now what does the voltage on the meter read?Lets start with that.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FALLYN69U
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Went out to start it today wont start yet cranks goodany ideas
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The battery is fully charged and the engine is turning over full speed?If so do you have spark any codes?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FALLYN69U
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Reading 12.39
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have any spark or any codes?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKMAN50
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Replaced starter today and still nothing. Turn key and no power to starter. Jumped solenoid and spun.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,859 POSTS
What does "still nothing" mean? Does "no power" mean the dash, head lights, and/or interior lights are not working too, or is it just the starter system that is not working? If it is just the starter system, have you used a scanner to view the state of the transmission range switch, (aka neutral safety switch)? If it has a problem, you may see all the shift indicator lights lit up on the instrument cluster.

You need to list the correct engine size. There are multiple V-6's and they have very different wiring diagrams.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAVINGSDAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163 MILES
I have a 98 Dodge Caravan. Replaced battery 2 times past year. Is fine for a few months and then I go to start it and it is dead. I have been told the altenator is good. Cables are clean and tight.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Do you try to jump start? Or take battery to auto chain store for free recharge and condition check?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
If you have to keep replacing the battery, then it isn't getting a complete or consistant charge from the alternator. Just because the alternator is good and the cables are clean and tight doesn't mean there isn't a problem.

You need to use a volt meter to test each cable for high resistance or a break. Also wiggle the cables while testing because a small break or corrosion in one of the wires may test good now but while driving the vibration will open the break. Don't forget to check all positive and negative cables from alt to bat, bat to frame, engine to frame.

Particularly pay close attention to the main positive cable from the alternator to the bat. Test voltage flowing from alt to bat while engine is running. You should get at least 13.5 volts. Shake the cable while testing.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKSAL2
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1994 DODGE CARAVAN
Electrical problem
1994 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 190k miles

This little red light is located just under the buttons that turn on the back window wipers and the front window wipers. It came on 2 days ago and stayed on when I parked it in front of the apartment. I didn't drive the car for 2 days and when I went out to go to the store, the battery was dead. The battery is less than a year old and the car has always started the minute the key is turned. What is the red light for and how do I fix it. Thanks for any help you can give me. Ed Salley
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,859 POSTS
Can you describe what the light looks like? I just ran out and looked at mine, and there's no red light. The right switches are "rear washer", and "rear wiper" side by side, "overdrive off" under it, and "rear defroster" under that. The two bottom switches have yellow indicator lights. Both of those should go off when the ignition switch is turned off.

The front wiper is part of the turn signal stalk.

Caradiodoc
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKSAL2
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Just to the right of the steering wheel there is a place where three buttons are lined up one on top of the other. The top one is for the front window wipers, the second one is for the rear window wiper and below it is something that looks like a button but isn't and in the middle of the spot is a small raised red light. It has been off for over a year that I have had the van but now is on red. It is just left of the radio and ac/heater section. Ed
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKSAL2
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Sorry, you were right, it is top row is rear window wipers, 2nd row is rear defroster and on the lower part is where the little red light is located. Ed
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,859 POSTS
That sounds like an LED and is not factory original. Look for an aftermarket anti-theft system. Some systems have a disarm switch mounted below the steering wheel, and some have a switch added under the hood to detect when the hood is opened. I'm not familiar with how these systems work, but if you see a speaker / horn under the hood, that will be your proof of an aftermarket system.

So do I understand your front wipers are not part of the signal switch? The van I looked at is a '95 model, but I worked on lots of minivans at the dealership, and I don't remember a front wiper on the dash. Doesn't mean they didn't; I just dont remember.

Caradiodoc
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKSAL2
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
You were right about the front windows are on the turn signal arm. The other button on the spot where I was talking about is for the rear defroster. This van was only used by a rural postal worker befor I bought it so I don't think there is any aftermarket things on it. There is no horn under the hood or speaker below the steering column. I just don't know what to do as I am a Senior on a very fixed low income. Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted. Thanks, Ed Salley
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,859 POSTS
Let me clarify my earlier statement. Some anti-theft systems have a horn-shaped speaker under the hood. They are not the same as a standard horn. There's no speaker under the dash but the custom add-on systems could have a switch to turn the system off. That switch, (if it even exists), could be hidden anywhere, but under the dash is a common place because it has to be convenient to reach.

If there is no add-on anti-theft system, I can't imagine what that red light would be for. LEDs draw such little current, it alone would not kill the battery for many months.

On a related note, my mother had a dead battery at least four times with her '95. Every time, after jump-starting it, I found the left overhead light turned on just behind the mirror. She never knew they were there at first, and claimed to never have used them. I never figured out if she was bumping it while hoisting her purse out or whether a plastic latch was deformed and letting go. She never noticed it coming on at night by itself, but I did see it turned on once myself. It's worth looking at if you have those lights in the overhead console. That light can kill a battery overnight.

Caradiodoc
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKSAL2
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hey, thank you for your help. I will go check out the light behind the mirror and I know there is one behind the visor on the passenger side. Anyway, if I can't solve it I will have to wait til I get the money to have it fixed. Once again, thanks for your trouble and have a great evening. Ed Salley
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)

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