How to Troubleshoot a Bad Starter on a 2000 Dodge Caravan
- 1). Connect a voltmeter to the battery to measure the voltage output. If you are not familiar with a voltmeter, place the metal lead on the red wire onto the positive battery terminal and then place the metal lead on the black wire onto the negative battery terminal. If the battery reads 12 volts or more, the battery is fine and you need to move on to the next step. If the battery is less than 12 volts, charge it and try it again. If the battery still registers less than 12 volts after you charge it, replace the battery. If it does register 12 volts and the Caravan still does not start, move on to the next step.
- 2). Locate the starter and starter solenoid on the Dodge Caravan. The starter motor is bolted to the transmission housing on the driver's side of the vehicle. The starter solenoid is bolted to the top of the starter motor.
- 3). Locate the two metal connectors on the back of the Caravan's starter housing. One connector has a wire that goes to the ignition. The second connector has a wire that goes to the starter motor. Place the blade of a screwdriver across both connectors and have a second person attempt to start the Caravan. By doing this, you will prevent the solenoid from engaging the gearing in the starter motor. This means that the starter motor will turn on but will not start the engine. If the starter motor presents a consistent humming sound, the starter is fine and the solenoid is defective. If the starter motor does not turn on, the starter is defective.
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