Any shadetree mechanics here?

[madamesilverspurs]

Last edited Thu Feb 15, 2018, 04:17 PM - Edit history (1)

My 2002 Dodge Caravan is being weird. It's doing strange things when I try to start it. Sometimes when I turn the key there isn't even a click, nothing happens; then, after repeated attempts it sometimes starts. Other times, when nothing happens, I try to make sure it's in park and the shift lever won't move, but after one or two turns of the key it will shift and then it will start.

I'm hoping to get it to the shop in the next day or two and want to avoid being bamboozled, so any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

UPDATE: Thanks for all the informed feedback, it's much appreciated. It sounds like it's not going to be something ridiculously massive to repair. At the very least you've helped to prep me for a more informed conversation with the mechanic I hope to find soon. Once more, thanks DUers!

[Phoenix61]

1. Neutral safety switch or the ignition switch nt

[gibraltar72]

3. My thought also.

[c-rational]

2. Is your battery good (how new) and are the terminals clean and tight, or it could be the starter...

[cloudbase]

7. Start with this.

Simple stuff first.

Battery connections, ground connections.
Then a battery load test.

Then the more involved stuff.

[Lochloosa]

8. My first thought was the battery.

As an electrician, is it plugged in?

[htuttle]

4. Ignition interlock solenoid, maybe?

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-shift-interlock-solenoid

About $30-60 online. Expect to pay probably double that for the part at a repair shop (it's how auto shops make part of their money).

If that's the problem. I'm not a mechanic. I put myself through college working at a full service gas station (that many years ago), and used to write up a lot of service orders.

[FuzzyRabbit]

9. My first thoought.

[trc]

5. Prepare yourself for a long journey of diagnosis by a tech.

That said, I have had several dodges, including a minivan, and have had multiple issues with the key lock cylinder going bad/wearing out. There was a recall on my Dakota for that very issue...4 months after I replaced it. That said though, it could very well be a wiring issue at the transmission or the starting system. As I said, prepare for some diagnosis issues, or hope your mechanic has seen something like this before. Sorry I can't be more help but this is a hands on sort of diagnosis.

[missingthebigdog]

6. I have a Town and Country of similar vintage

Ours started behaving bizarrely- intermittent refusal to start, turn signal issues, wonky heat and air controls, etc. turned out to be faulty solder joints in the instrument control panel.

Start here on your diagnostic journey, and good luck:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c5406_ds442234

[doc03]

10. It's a Dodge nt

[FSogol]

11. I just replaced the ignition switch in a 2002 Jeep Liberty.

They wear out over time. Try bumping the key (tap in on the end) if you turn it and nothing happens. It is an easy fix and there are videos on YouTube, but it requires security torx screw drivers

[bluecollar2]

12. 16 year old dodge

My guess is the starter needs changing...

[bluecollar2]

13. Any update? N/t