02 Caravan Won't Start

[coopns]

The wife just called and said the 02 Caravan won't start. Does click...click...click...click. All the other electrical stuff works (windows/radio/check engine light comes on). Battery is about 3 years old, starter less then a year. This happened last week, we left one of the lights on or the door open all night and we jumped it. She mentioned that maybe the door was left open but the lights auto go off after 30 seconds or so. Checked at AA and the guy did a test on the Battery/Alt. and said everything checked out ok.

Any advice?

 

[Quest]

check battery once again by load-testing it.

 

[coopns]

How do you load test?

 

[Kuato]

Most auto parts store (Advance, etc) can load test your battery for you with a device they hook up which, well, puts a load on your battery.

You may also want to check the positive battery cable; I've had cables that were corroded up to 8" away from the battery, INside the insulation, which reduced current flow to less than needed to start.

 

[FL_Rob]

Also look for parasitic drain,High power audio,tv/dvdplayers the kids use .A weak cell(s) in the battery a volt meter wont pick up.

 

[SuperDave456]

What type of battery do you have?

It has been my experience that most Wal-Mart batteries last 2 years in cars. My Father and Uncle actually write the date they install the battery it and 2 years later replace it. It isn't worth the headache looking for an issue or having it die on you at the wrong point in time.

Other batteries go longer, but 3-4 years is typically the max amount of time a battery lasts.

 

[coopns]

Yeah, you might be right SuperDave. Might be better off just getting a new one. It is 3 31/2 years old. Probably done. I am not in front of it, so not sure of type.

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
What type of battery do you have?

It has been my experience that most Wal-Mart batteries last 2 years in cars. My Father and Uncle actually write the date they install the battery it and 2 years later replace it. It isn't worth the headache looking for an issue or having it die on you at the wrong point in time.

Other batteries go longer, but 3-4 years is typically the max amount of time a battery lasts.


Lead-acid wet type automobile batteries seldom goes past 4yrs in warm climate and this is normal.

In our area (way up north), it is not uncommon for the same kind of batteries to last 6+ yrs typical.

Observations: this has relatively less to do with what brand it is (in NA it's pretty much limited to those few major automobile battery manufacturers such as Johnson Ctrls, Exide, etc. anyways so what difference does that make?) but more to do with operational temperature (ambient), meaning that the higher the avg ambient temperature, the shorter the service life of these type of batteries.

Q.

 

[mechtech2]

I'd give the battery a good slow charge.
The battery and alt may be good, but it hasn't come back up to normal yet, after the drain.
Also [and VERY important], clean both ends of EACH battery cable and where they seat nice and shiny.
This is #1.

 

[coopns]

I just went and got a new battery from NAPA. Started right up. I guess time will tell.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I have a Dodge too, but it's a Dakota not a Caravan. I do know Dodge and other Chrysler vehicles can be really picky if the battery is not fully charged and the voltage isn't correct. Dakota's won't run right at all if the battery is even marginally low or not charging.

I hope the new battery solves the problem.

 

[mechtech2]

Batteries usually last longer in the northern climates than 3 years.
One thing that causes an early demise is a loose battery.
Any bungee cord tied battery goes out in a couple of years. They don't like vibration.