2002 Chrysler Town & Country starting problems

When we try to start our Van it has recently made a clicking noise like
the starter is not fully engaging. The odometer blacks out and the
needles on the speed and tac slowly move all the way to the right then
back to the left. When it returns to the beginning (0) the odometer
then comes back on and you the van may start or you might go through
the same thing again before it will start. When the van does start it
seems as though the battery is not struggling. I orginally thought the
battery was the problem, but so far I have been able to start the van
eventually, each time. Anyone heard of something like this?

 

Probably dirty battery terminal connections. The speedometer and
tachometer gave it away. They behave like this when they are not
getting enough voltage.

 

Yup, or one of the cells in the battery is shorted so you are only
getting 10V insted of 12V!

(Less likely, but it could be the starter contacts).

 

Bad starters don't cause the instruments to flip out, as far as I know.

 

yep bad ground and loose battery connection

 

Check a past post of mine, just in case this is your problem:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec....0b06cfff5c?lnk=st&q=&rnum=14#4a63cc0b06cfff5c

good luck,
Bill