2000 Grand Caravan 3.3L starter noise

More then likely the starter is bad.If you have someone hold the key to the start position while taking a hammer and tapping on the starter I bet it starts. If so replace the starter.

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

Thanks! I tried this but it kept on snapping. But I already plan to replace the starter. Got a remanufactured one at Bumper to Bumper for about $100. Hope it's not too bad of a job to change myself!?

Steve

naa not bad at all if you like laying on the ground

Glenn

Hey Glenn,

Well I changed the starter. Good thing I have fairly small hands and nimble fingers! It went ok. Guess what? It still did the same loud clicking noise I had with the old starter!?### What the heck? I had checked the battery before and it seemed ok.... I mean the lights came on, the radio played, the fan worked.... And it showed about 80% on my battery meter! My old Ford truck would have started with it....! So in desparation I decided to jump the battery with another I had and walla! It started. Does the starter on this vehicle require a fully charged battery to operate? If so, I guess I should be carrying along a spare battery! Any other thoughts on this would again be welcomed and appreciated! I suppose my alternator is in question now???? Anyway, I don't know how long a starter is actually good for but now I should be a little better off with a new one.

Thanks! Steve

If you tested the battery with a bad connection it could have showed a good battery at the time you tested it and possibly made a good contact. Any starter is going to need a good strong battery to start the vehicle.

Glenn

I'm thinking there might be a bad area on the battery post that could have made a weak connection to the starter??? Although there was absolutely no corrosion visible??? I bought the vehicle a couple years ago and have had prety good luck with it. Just got back from a

2500 mile trip up into the Rockies with no problem. I'm pretty sure the battery was original also so not complaining about having to buy a new battery if need be either. I have it on the charger at 2 amp rate to see if it will take and hold a full charge. I consider this great mechanical experience at the very least!

Thanks for your replies! Steve

anytime

Glenn