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van won't start


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Guest
Anonymous Poster
randb96@yahoo.com

Feb 7, 2009, 7:17 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2375 views)
van won't start Sign In

I have a 91 Dodge, B250 w/318 engine. Replaced starter, starter relay, and battery, still won't crank. When I turn the key the hood light and interior lights dim all the way down. The relay vibrates inside like it isn't getting enough juice. Between starter and battery I jump started it, it took probably 20 minutes. After letting it run for a while, I shut it off and it wouldn't restart, wouldn't do anything. Not even headlights. The day before it was running just fine. Prior to this I had been having starter issues. It would spin and not kick in. Sometimes once and sometimes 20-25 times. Once it was warmed up the starter worked fine. Any ideas?


Loren Champlain Sr
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Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 11:22 AM

Post #2 of 9 (2372 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

This sounds like one of three things; 1) Poor connection at battery terminals, ground to engine block, or at starter; 2) Faulty battery that can't handle the excessive amp draw of a cold engine; or 3) Faulty starter. I would check these things in the order listed.
Loren
SW Washington


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Feb 7, 2009, 12:28 PM

Post #3 of 9 (2370 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

I cleaned the cable ends before I attached them to the new battery. Right now it's about 55 degrees and all I'm getting is clicking of the starter relay. I haven't found the other end of the ground yet. It's supposed to go all the way across to the alt. mounting bolt. I hooked up a temp ground from the battery to the engine and still nothing. Both the starter and the battery are only about a week and a half old. I had the battery load tested and it was good. I haven't checked the connection at the starter yet.


Loren Champlain Sr
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Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 12:47 PM

Post #4 of 9 (2365 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

Assuming the engine isn't seized, it almost has to be a connection or a starter issue. I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of it.Smile
Loren
SW Washington


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Feb 7, 2009, 1:24 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2363 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

I had it started once between the starter and battery replacements. We put cables on it for a long time. After it had been running for a while we shut it off and it wouldn't restart. Dead as a hammer. I'm going to keep looking, I'll let you know when it is running. Thanks.


Loren Champlain Sr
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Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Feb 7, 2009, 1:39 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2360 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

Speaking of hammers, you could lightly tap on the starter as someone tries to start it. If it is the starter, that trick will usually work.
Loren
SW Washington


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Feb 8, 2009, 7:55 PM

Post #7 of 9 (2345 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

Ok I tried tapping the starter, checked and rechecked connections, and made sure the battery was charged fully. It got to the place where the hood light would only come when the charger cycled. Anyway, whatever happened, it finally started. I don't know if it was when we were tugging on the ground wire or something else, but IT'S RUNNING. My friend thinks maybe it had ice from the bitter cold we had at the same time and maybe the thaw we're having right did something. Anyway, thanks the the help.

decalguy


Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Feb 9, 2009, 3:06 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2337 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In

Hey, anything is possible when you are dealing with electrical parts. The main thing is that it's running!
Have a great week!
Loren
SW Washington


pathill
New User

Feb 9, 2009, 6:47 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2330 views)
Re: van won't start Sign In


In Reply To
I have a 91 Dodge, B250 w/318 engine. Replaced starter, starter relay, and battery, still won't crank. When I turn the key the hood light and interior lights dim all the way down. The relay vibrates inside like it isn't getting enough juice. Between starter and battery I jump started it, it took probably 20 minutes. After letting it run for a while, I shut it off and it wouldn't restart, wouldn't do anything. Not even headlights. The day before it was running just fine. Prior to this I had been having starter issues. It would spin and not kick in. Sometimes once and sometimes 20-25 times. Once it was warmed up the starter worked fine. Any ideas?


(Nice! You can copy a post and add.....



Not allowed, T)

(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 10, 2009, 3:36 AM)






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