I have a tempermental 98 GV that periodically decides not to start. Symptoms: Turn the key and nothing BUT all vehicle electronics all work fine. Dingers ding, instrument cluster comes to life, lights on, etc... I turn the ignition off, then back on and sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesn't so I continue the ritual until it finally starts (which thus far it always has).
I changed the starter relay first (start with the cheap stuff first)...no fix. I heard that the starter assembly can develop a dead spot which could explain this vans issues. Thought I'd throw this problem out there to see if anyone else has experienced this type of problem.
Either a dirty connection between the battery and the starter or if these are all OK, then most likely the starter solenoid contacts. Search the archives for this newsgroup as this has been covered many times over many years.
The next time it happens listen very closely for a click under the hood, I would bet there is a click, and the starter solenoid contacts are bad, it will just get worse until it wont start at all if the contacts are bad.
I just went through this on my Intrepid, when it was cold, it would have problems. On mine, I could hear the solenoid click when I turned the key, but starter would not turn. I ended replacing the starter assembly. Do you hear a loud click when turning the key? As for the Intrepid, the starter and solenoid was a kit and both had to be replaced.
You can certainly replace the starter with a rebuilt or new unit and it will come with the solenoid attached. But, if you want to save a lot of money, for basically the exact same amount of labor (you need to remove the starter in both cases), you can just replace the solenoid contacts and clean up the plunger ring with a wire brush and some electrical contact cleaner.
The Nippondenso starter motor itself rarely ever goes bad ... it is almost always the contacts. Search this newsgroup archives for a web site I've posted a couple times before or just Google on "Nippondenso starter solenoid contact". The guy operating that site sold them for $5 each (you need two which are different and there are 4 shapes/sizes available). The guy operating the site even added Chrysler application info that had been provided by Dan Stern to identify the right parts for each year/engine type. I've fixed 5 Chrysler vehicles in the last 3 years and they all had the symptoms you describe at roughly 5 years of around town use. The difficulty in getting it started will increase till one day if you don't fix it by then it will not start at all.
The good news is you usually get a few weeks or maybe even months of warning ... the parts come US mail in about 5-7 days or you can overnight if you are willing to pay for the postage. The $10 plus shipping beats several hundred for a rebuilt unit or more for new and you know you still have the high quality original equipment part and not some cheap imitation which is of lower quality.
I appreciate all of the inputs....I put in a new starter assembly today, before getting all of the inputs and my van is still playing tricks on me (same problem). To add a little irony into the mess, it decided not to start in the parts store parking lot after I returned the old one in. I tried turning the key several times to no avail....moved the shifter into reverse and then back into park and bingo, it started right up.
If manipulating the shifter (next time also try "Neutral") worked, then it is likely the Neutral Safety Switch, which I *think* might be built into the position selector switch w/the '98 4-speed auto.
I had a problem on my 90 Dynasty where the ignition switch was bad. If you cannot hear any clicking from the starter then you might want to turn the switch "slowly" several times and see if there is a funny feel. There is a 'tab' on the switch that may be broken. I replaced the switch myself in about an hour of work.
I had the same problem. Thought I would have to replace the starter, but it was just a contact in the starter. Less than $100 with labor. It has worked fine ever since.
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