Turning here to see if this is an issue anyone else has faced before I go it at the mechanic for a few days. Looking to get an idea of possible causes, what was needed to fix the problem and rough estimate of repair cost.

1998 Dodge Caravan 3.3 liter.
140,000 miles

When I get turn the ignition key to "Start" position the car doesn't. I hear a loud "click" but nothing. Engine doesn't crank. When the key falls back to the "on" position the gauges comes on along with the radio and ac/heat of they were left on.

I'll have to move the key back and forth between "On" and "Start" either a few times or for a few minutes. Most time I hear that loud click. Sometimes I'll get a weak crack or two and finally the thing comes to life.

No issues driving. Not having the thing die on me but I'm terrified of just going shopping.

So, anyone experience this kind of thing? If so any info could help so I don't get reamed when I go to the mechanic.

One other thing I should point out. The key need to be tapped while in the ignition to move the key out of the "Lock" position. Lightly tapped. This has been a situation for the past year where sometimes it would happen. Read it was due to a build up of dust and what not in the lock mechanism. A few light taps with my Leatherman on the key when it's fully seated in the ignition tumbler frees up the thing just fine. It's been a minor problem over the past few years but over the past few weeks (same times period as the cranking issue) it's been a much more regular occurrence.

Let me know if you need any other info.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

Might be a battery issue? Check the connections going to the battery would be my first action.

And by check i mean clean them up.

 

Thanks but I already checked the battery. Vehicle is fully powered when I try to start it up. Putting the Key in either accessory or On position powers everything. Wipers, air, radio, gauges, lights, etc.

I'm thinking it might be a starter issue or perhaps a short in the ignition system.

 

When you say you checked the battery did you check if there was corrosion on the terminals or loose connections? I'm assuming from the age of your van that you don't have a computerized ignition switch/starting system. If you're hearing a click and nothing else when turning the key to start it sounds like the starter is not getting enough power from the battery to run. I've never had a starter go bad but from what I know about how they operate I don't think they would go from not working at all to working normally after repeated attempts. I wouldn't rule that out, though. I have had multiple bad battery situations and have never had one where the car started normally after repeated attempts without some intervention like a jump start. There is a difference between drawing the power needed for the radio and lights and the power needed to start the engine, and having poor contact between the battery and the cables could cause your symptoms. I'd also suspect the battery cables.

I don't think an ignition system problem is likely to be the cause of your problem because if you had one the starter would still run when you turn the key to start but the engine would have trouble running on its own, and/or the engine might spontaneously die on you.

I don't think your ignition switch cylinder dust issue could cause this problem but you might want to have that looked at anyways as that could cause you a different set of problems down the road. I'm pretty sure a locksmith could take care of that for you; you probably don't need a real auto mechanic. While on a vacation my parents' '89 Caravan's cylinder got stuck in the "on" position and my dad couldn't turn off the engine. We had to have a AAA locksmith replace it with a GM cylinder in the parking lot of a Las Vegas hotel.

Hope that helps.

 

+1 To checking for corrosion. It sounds to me like the starter is not getting a consistent amount of power from the battery. Which in my mind would be an issue with corrosion. Take off the cables and use a cleaner on both the studs and the cables themselves. Even though you are getting lights and radio inside, those use a lot less power!

Also, trying starting the car with the radio and all lights turned off, will allow more power to go to the starter.

 

If all the above checks out you probably have worn solenoid contacts in the starter - very common on older cars. Next time it clicks tap the starter with a hammer. If it starts spinning it's a good sign that's the case. You can change the starter or just replace the contacts for less than half the cost.

 

Might be dealing with a fuel pump issue as well.

 

So just to bring this full loop it was the starter which was replaced.

Thanks to all for their help.