1996 Grand Caravan starting problem

In the last few weeks my 1996 Grand Caravan has had trouble starting.
When you turn the key all instruments light up and you hear one
"click". If you jiggle the gearshift lever up harder into PARK the car
usually starts.

I was told the PARK/NEUTRAL switch needed adjusting or replacing. I
took the car to the dealer who kept it for 2 days. First they said they
would order the switch part, then the part that came in they said was
wrong and they re-ordered it, then the second switch was wrong and
finally they told me that there was no switch and instead it was just a
"cable" adjustment.

They adjusted the cable and the problem has become much worse. Now
almost every time I try to start the car it will not turn over and only
about 50% of the time that I jiggle the gearshift lever will it start.

Any suggestions?

 

start, If you listen very carefully when you try to start it, see if you
hear a click outside under the hood.
You probably have a starter going out on you, Is this a 3.3 engine?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Thanks for the comments Glenn.

No, this has the 3.8 engine. I had the original starter replaced at
this dealer about 4 years and 50,000 miles ago.

I took it back to the dealer this afternoon and when they tried to move
it forward for space in the service bay it wouldn't start again so at
least they have seen the problem first hand. Again when the gearshift
was pushed up it turned over and started fine. The service writer said
since it started fine it "probably" wasn't the starter. Now he is
talking about the ignition switch or something else in the column. I
should hear more tomorrow.

 

3.3 and 3.8 basically the same. It could still be the starter, but anyway
good luck and hope they find it for you.

 

Andrew

I'v occasionally had the same problem with my 95 T&C. Interested to hear
the resolution. I've just decided to grin and bear it as any work costs
much more than the jiggling on the shift level which seems to cure the
problem.

Peter

 

if they still haven't found the problem the next time vehicle is acting up
open the hood and have somebody start the vehicle for you while tapping
the pcm(powertrain control module) located beside the battery.