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2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v


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rusty151
New User

Jun 13, 2021, 8:57 AM

Post #1 of 10 (1231 views)
  post locked   2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

The other day I turned key to start. Saw dash lights for a second and since then no sign of life (what you would get with battery disconnected). No horn, lights and sounds. No clicking like when battery is discharged. Battery shows 12.6 v. Battery 1 & 1/2 yrs old. Putting charger on has no effect of any kind. I checked fuses and swapped relays around.

Is there anything else I can check?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 13, 2021, 9:18 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1223 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

One thing for now. Check for life not just post to post but also the U-bolt to U-bolt - if nothing, there's the trouble. Which is testing post to other U-bolt + vs versa. See if anything can get outside this battery at all then let's go from there,
T



rusty151
New User

Jun 13, 2021, 10:15 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1210 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

Thanks for your reply. while waiting I decided to be thorough and disconnected the battery connectors and cleaned them with white vinegar. Now there is life. So you were right.

Car doesn't start and charger says battery fully charged.

I get rapid clicking sound. It isn't exactly same clicking sound (I think) as when battery dead. This may be the starter gears not engaging maybe, not sure.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 13, 2021, 10:52 AM

Post #4 of 10 (1192 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

You found the items to fix. The U-bolts again I ask if the nut/bolt that tightens them is touching like a closed horseshoe? If so, those you get good quality end splice ones very heavy duty and a specific battery brush.

If no directions with end splices to match what you have now one of us can explain.

Please don't use just volts that is what battery charger is detecting NOT how powerful the connections are.

Do remember Bat- off first and on last. That way you never have tools on a live Bat+ cable or U-bolt to short it out,

T



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 13, 2021, 10:56 AM

Post #5 of 10 (1188 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

More - sorry. If new ends doesn't solve it charge battery again. That or use a jumper box to jump start this van. That should work now with cable ends good unless battery only has volts not enough AMPS "delivered" to starter is the big draw on battery.

It changed so you have the #1 issue right there,

T


rusty151
New User

Jun 13, 2021, 8:31 PM

Post #6 of 10 (1166 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

The ends seem good. They don't touch and seems very tight. I tried to twist them with pliers. Very snug. Could it be the battery itself?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 14, 2021, 12:09 AM

Post #7 of 10 (1150 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

It can always be a battery, they are delicate and perishable. Time. heat and or having gone way to low (ever) is destructive. Tests lack for AMPS - devices are usually just telling you colors or voltage,
T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 14, 2021, 3:20 AM

Post #8 of 10 (1146 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

There are many other wires in play that can cause this beside the battery cable. There are power supply leads that feed fuse boxes and the battery cables have 2 ends.



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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.



rusty151
New User

Jun 15, 2021, 7:34 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1105 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

Hey Tom and HT, thanks for the analysis. Finally had nice weather and spare time. Based on your comments, I decided to first focus on the u-bolts. I took them off again, this time used sandpaper to scuff them up. I also took apart the bolt attaching the cable to the u-bolt and applied sandpaper. After that it fired right up and has been running normally.

Thank you both!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 15, 2021, 9:09 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1094 views)
  post locked   Re: 2005 Dodge Caravan no sign of life battery 12.6 v  

Glad to hear it. There's a brush made just for that I hope this pic shows,
>
Just watch your eyes using these for flecks of dry crusty acid.
Now that you've found it you can just spray, oil or buy grease to keep it good indefinitely and avoid this problem is way too common.
Good luck, let's call it solved and close out the thread, ask if you wish this one to be re-opened no problem,


Tom






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