[2004Owner]

went to start the car this morning, it cranked for a couple sec, then died. tried again, it completely dead, no crank at all, lights on dashboard are working, fuel gauge comes on etc. battery is at 12.55 v. hooked up to it usb power booster, still no crank at all. battery is only 1 month old.

starter ? starter relay? is it relay #17 pointed to by the screwdriver (is it hidden under the clear plastic box)? not seeing any relay inside there tho.

when turn key to starter, i heard a slight click sound, that's it.

how would i bypass the relay and jump the starter like he's doing here,

 

[paul r]

Maybe bad battery even though 1 month old, remove and have it tested, maybe corroded connections. Lets illiminate the battery first. Next time it starts , even if same or new battery , check voltage to ascertain if alternator is charging battery. Should be greater than 12 V. Over 13V not uncommon when charging.

 

[bencahill]

Maybe bad battery even though 1 month old, remove and have it tested, maybe corroded connections. Lets illiminate the battery first. Next time it starts , even if same or new battery , check voltage to ascertain if alternator is charging battery. Should be greater than 12 V. Over 13V not uncommon when charging.

I could be wrong, but I think normal charging voltage is well over 13V. 13.5-14.5V I think.

 

[2004Owner]

Maybe bad battery even though 1 month old, remove and have it tested, maybe corroded connections. Lets illiminate the battery first. Next time it starts , even if same or new battery , check voltage to ascertain if alternator is charging battery. Should be greater than 12 V. Over 13V not uncommon when charging.

I hooked up battery to a usb power booster, no crank. previously when I had a bad battery, it would crank and start using that same booster.

 

[bencahill]

I wonder if the solenoid is sticking. I would have someone else try to crank it while you tap/bang on the solenoid (smaller part of the starter) with a long metal object, like a tire iron.

 

[2004Owner]

I could be wrong, but I think normal charging voltage is well over 13V. 13.5-14.5V I think.

when replacing the battery last month, tested alternator, output was 13.7 at the battery terminals.

 

[sixto]

If the headlights turn on, leave them on then observe when you turn the key to crank. If the headlights don’t dim, power isn’t getting to the starter.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 202I miles

 

[2004Owner]

just noticed when key is in "on" position, none of the windows or turn signals work, can't even shift to neutral (like the shifter has been locked or something) headlights do turn on tho.

 

[2004Owner]

If the headlights turn on, leave them on then observe when you turn the key to crank. If the headlights don’t dim, power isn’t getting to the starter.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 202I miles

just tried it, headlights don't dim at all.

 

[bencahill]

Sounds to me like the car doesn't see that the key is "ON". Do the dash lights come on (e.g. check engine, battery light) when you turn the key to "ON"? Also, do the HVAC fans work when the key is "ON"? If it is not getting to "ON", neither of those things will come on.

 

[circus]

Try giving the starter a good wack.

 

[2004Owner]

Sounds to me like the car doesn't see that the key is "ON". Do the dash lights come on (e.g. check engine, battery light) when you turn the key to "ON"? Also, do the HVAC fans work when the key is "ON"? If it is not getting to "ON", neither of those things will come on.

fans do not come on. I noticed the dash's brake light is on even though emergency brake is not applied and Im not pushing on the brake.

when I step on the brake, brake lights in the rear do NOT come on.

 

[BillG]

My guess is rodent damage. They go looking for winter homes at this time of year and all these random electrical issues start popping up on the forum.

 

[bencahill]

Yikes, it sounds like an electrical issue. Have you looked under the hood with a bright flashlight to see if there are any rodent indications?

Also might not be a bad idea to check fuses to make sure none of them are blown.

 

[2004Owner]

the 2nd time I disconnected and reconnected the battery, the alarm went off, then all electrical problems just disappeared. Brake light on dash went away, shifter started working again, odb2 and gear selector light came back on. My guess is that some freaky problem with the alarm, maybe it disabled my ignition ?
but still no crank, picked up a new starter relay and swapped it, no luck. no time to deal with it, towed it to my mech. bad starter, $230 later, got a working van again.

Thanks to all.