On a long trip I stopped off at McDonalds and had a bite. Got back in the 1998 grand caravan with 3.3l and it crank, started for 1 sec or so and died. Cranked it 3 additonal times and it did the same thing. Waited a bit while scratching my head and gave it a 4 try. This time nothing. It would not even crank. dash lights come on(except odometer?) I hear buzz of fuel pump for a second. Lights come on good and strong and do not dim when turning ignition. Just no power to starter. Obviously an electrical situation. Check all fuses. All go. Tried to jump, but nada.

So where do I start? Relay? under the fuse box in engine are these the only relays? Is there a starter relay on the firewall somewhere?
Any way to test the starter relay in the fuse box?
thanks for your help.

 

Try tapping on the starter with a hammer and then try to crank again. Maybe the starter has gone bad.

 

Thought about that, but that would not explain why it cranked, started for 1 second and died. It did this 3 times, like it ran out of fuel or someone shut the car off with the key. Hard to believe there is two separate problems. I reason that the only thing that would make these two problems connected is the switch. But I've never had one go out before so my experience lead to a doubtfull conclusion on that.

I have picked up the van and towed it home and it now starts. Therefore, I cannot trouble shoot until it's broke again. Probably when my wife drives it. Yah, like that will be fun when that happens.