98 caravan Won't start, relay going crazy
 

So, my 98 caravan is at the grocery store, it won't start. I'm trying to see what else I can try before calling a tow truck. When I started it to drive the two blocks to the store, I noticed it was a little sluggish starting up. I didn't leave anything on while shopping, but the battery is two years old and I only drove it for 30 seconds. I figured it was low and didn't have time to charge up and I'd need a jump and a new battery. Tried to jump start it, nothing. The headlights look nice and bright, radio and everything works fine. I put an almost new fully charged battery in from my other car, still nothing. This time I noticed the check engine light was blinking at me while the key was in the "on" position. When I gave up and locked the doors, I heard a rapid clicking sound, almost like a buzz, from the fuse panel under the dash on the driver's side. The keys werent even in the ignition. The relay on the lower right side above the fuses was going crazy. I think the relay itself is ok, I swapped it with an identical one and that one also went crazy. I unhooked the battery for a few minutes, hooked it back up, and it stopped. Tried to start it, nothing. No check engine light this time. I pressed the lock button on the key FOB, and the relay went nuts again. I'm a decent shade tree mechanic, I'm sure I can replace whatever part is causing my problem, I just need a diagnosis.

So I've been thinking. If that relay is clicking/buzzing, there's power getting to it somehow. There's no way that should happen with the ignition off, right? The ignition switch must be bad, right? There's a junkyard nearby with dozens of caravans, ignition switches are $8, might as well try it.

http://vpnavy01.ipower.com/lgdare/pappy.gif Welcome Aboard fishers138! Just a thought - why don't you run up to the local Auto Shop (i.e., Autozone, etc. don't charge to use their Computer Reader) and see if you can read your computer for the codes. Now, I haven't a clue what I am talking about (smile) but all batteries aren't the same (different cold start amps, etc.) and you said your thought the relay itself is ok, I swapped it with an identical one I sure hope it was the correct one (OEM Number, etc.) and not one that "look alike." Anyway, it sure sounds like you have a low battery. Make darn sure your battery cables, etc. are nice and clean. Eitherway - pull the computer code and let's see what the computer reported.

I walked down this morning, hooked the battery from my other car back up, and it started like nothing was ever wrong. I came home, shut it off, and it wouldn't start again. Same problem, relays going crazy, etc... Disconnected the battery for about 15 minutes, hooked it back up, it started again. Then I read your post about batteries not being the same and it got me thinking. I still had the van running, so I took the old battery to napa for a load test, it was indeed toast. I bought a nice shiny new one, put it in, problems solved. Starts right up every time. I don't understand why the other battery was able to start it once in a while, that's what threw me off, and still has me puzzled. Something to do with the ECU? It seemed like when the ECU was reset, it would work. I never saw a vehicle do that, the crazy relay thing. That's what made me think it was some kind of crazy wiring issue.

Be careful out there in Centralia, watch for smoke coming through your basement..... I used to live near Nuremburg. I was in "Shendo" two days ago. I work at Interstate Road Management in Hazleton, I painted a lot of roads this summer near Ashland, Mt Carmel, Ringtown, etc.... Small world.

fishers138:
After a bunch of fiddling, I'm about to post what ended up being the solution to my start, then no-start-and-sometimes-stall problem. It was the PCM. Search the archives to begin looking at the many possibilities; and even check out Youtube. One guy posted something there that ended up helping me suggest something to my technicians that ended up being correct!
Best of luck
Scott

http://vpnavy01.ipower.com/lgdare/outstanding.gif - I figured it was the battery. It worked sometimes because it was able to reload but drain the minute you put a load on it. The colder it gets - the worse it will be. A new battery is perfect!

http://vpnavy01.ipower.com/lgdare/pappy.gif The wife and I have been up here for the past three years helping the wife's Mom (86+) around the house. The "fire" is long gone from up here. We are the last few families in town. All they want is the coal - it has always been about te coal.