After replacing the ignition starter switch, there is a no crank no start issue?

1998 DODGE CARAVAN

198,773 MILES • 3.3L • 6 CYL • AUTOMATIC

JULIANA MICHEL

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I recently purchased a van with no ignition housing, and it starts with a screwdriver into the ignition starter switch however, the switch got stripped out and I replaced it with a new one, connected it and now I get a no crank, no start but I have power to dashboard.
I checked fuses and relay...all good.
I tried to jump start the starter with pin # 30 & #87 and I got no crank.
I then tried starting with screwdriver on solenoid and starter engages but doesn't turn engine over. Please help, thank you.

Jan 14, 2024 at 7:52 AM

CARADIODOC

✓Experienced Mechanic
34,368 POSTS

It sounds like you're using the screwdriver to jump the two fat terminals on the starter solenoid. That will make the starter motor spin, but it doesn't make the drive gear engage with the ring gear on the back of the engine. To do it this way, you need to jump the one fat solenoid terminal with the red battery cable to the smaller terminal on the starter. That will make the solenoid engage the drive gear, then it switches on the starter motor current internally and the motor will spin and crank the engine.

Let me know what happens when you do that.

Jan 14, 2024 at 8:33 AM

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