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2002 chrysler town & country. won't start


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Steven55
Novice

Aug 14, 2012, 4:15 PM

Post #1 of 17 (5978 views)
2002 chrysler town & country. won't start Sign In

Hi everybody. I will do my best.

2002 chrysler Town & Country, 3.8 v6, 51,518 miles
van stopped running at red lights. Went to autozone to have test done. I was told that it was a bad altenator. Replaced with rebuilt lifetime warrenty, it lasted one month. I went back two times with same problem each time it was they said it was the ALT. I then installed a brand new one, installed a brand new starter, and a new starter ignition switch, new battary. Still won't start. I checked all the relays, still nothing. when I try to start the van, all the light's and indicators come on. I'm stuck and it's our medical transportation. What should I do next ?


(This post was edited by Steven55 on Aug 14, 2012, 4:32 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 14, 2012, 4:30 PM

Post #2 of 17 (5965 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

A simple voltage test across the battery with the engine running will tell you if it's charging or not. You need to charge and test the battery first though. If it's not charging, there are other possibilities beside the alternator but it will require some electrical testing.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Steven55
Novice

Aug 14, 2012, 4:37 PM

Post #3 of 17 (5952 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

would you take the time to read my post? It will tell you what I've done so far.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 14, 2012, 4:44 PM

Post #4 of 17 (5941 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

I'm sorry but I did read your post. I did see that you stated you have a new battery but you did not state when that battery was installed in relationship to the current issue. It could be assumed that you ran the battery down due to a supposed charging problem so I suggest you post your question a little more clearly and we would know what the sequence of events was and wouldn't have to assume anything.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Aug 14, 2012, 4:45 PM

Post #5 of 17 (5939 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

First mistake was letting Autozone attempt to troubleshoot a drive-ability problem.

Is this a no crank or a no start problem?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 14, 2012, 4:46 PM)


Steven55
Novice

Aug 14, 2012, 6:28 PM

Post #6 of 17 (5919 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Yes. I also took the battery and had it checked befor trying to start the auto. no crank nothing. one thing I did notice is when I tried to start the auto ( I have all the covers off the steiring collum ) when I turned the key I looked at rite in between where the key cylender and the starter ignition switch, there is a white lever that pushes in then out and thats the only sound that I get.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Aug 14, 2012, 6:48 PM

Post #7 of 17 (5915 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Does this have an aftermarket alarm system or remote start system?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Steven55
Novice

Aug 14, 2012, 7:43 PM

Post #8 of 17 (5909 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

No.


Steven55
Novice

Aug 15, 2012, 1:55 PM

Post #9 of 17 (5876 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Is there anyone out their to help me?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 15, 2012, 2:40 PM

Post #10 of 17 (5874 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Does the trigger wire at starter have power with "start" request? If so do a voltage drop test to see if enough amps get to the starter. You've replaced alternator which is really just to charge the battery so if battery is charged up that isn't involved with cranking.

Lights on dash mean almost nothing. You need to know if amps get to starter thru large gauge wire and that a smaller "trigger" wire is lit with the request and if not then the hunt begins,

T



Steven55
Novice

Aug 15, 2012, 5:10 PM

Post #11 of 17 (5863 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Thank you for your reply. How do I do a drop test ?


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Aug 15, 2012, 5:36 PM

Post #12 of 17 (5859 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

When you test it with a multimeter you are measuring the difference in voltage between the two points the meter is hooked too. It only shows the difference. So go to both battery terminals and the difference between them is the reading. In this case, you aren't going to put the black lead on ground and pin a hot lead. To test the starter, place one end of the meter on the battery positive and the other on the battery terminal of the starter. Crank the engine or attempt to crank in a no crank scenario and look at the reading. The results are only valid on a circuit tested under load. The reading is how much voltage you have lost between the two points, hence your voltage drop. Figure .1v drop per connection is normal. If you see something like 2.6 on the meter, that means while you had 12.6v at the battery you could only get 10v to the starter. It works on all circuits big and small, and is a great way to check continuity. You can do the same test on the ground circuit to verify that it is working, and the test procedure and interpretation of results is the same.


Steven55
Novice

Aug 16, 2012, 10:19 AM

Post #13 of 17 (5842 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Thank you for that info. It mite take a while to get back to you. We lost our Brother this mmorning, so if I don't get back with you soon then you'll know why. Again Thank You.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 16, 2012, 11:46 AM

Post #14 of 17 (5838 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Sorry about that! First things first. Send the whole problem out if you can and need be. Get a loaner if possible. It just a vehicle at the end of the day and people will be here when you can come back,

Tom



Steven55
Novice

Aug 16, 2012, 2:57 PM

Post #15 of 17 (5825 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Thank you my friend.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Aug 16, 2012, 6:15 PM

Post #16 of 17 (5814 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

My condolences to you and your family. Its a shame these things happen. I hope he went painlessly and quickly as we all could hope to do. We will be here whenever you get back to this. Just post back to this thread and we will pick up where we left off.


Steven55
Novice

Aug 16, 2012, 8:12 PM

Post #17 of 17 (5806 views)
Re: Can't start the van Sign In

Thank You All.






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