Starter ground wire?

2001 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan, have recently begun to have trouble
with my van starting. When I turn the key to start the van I get a single
click.
Seems like I am getting full power as all of the lights are bright and the
radio works. Eventually, after about turning the key about 10 times it will
try to start and fail. Then I go through the same thing turning the key
again about 10 more times and finally it will start.
I am wondering if this could be the ground wire for the starter.
It just seems like the starter is not getting enough voltage to engage.
Would like to try something before buying a new starter.
Any ideas?

 

Welcome to the world of Nippondenso starters.

It's the solenoid contacts, I'll bet large...a common ND failure mode
for over 30 years.

 

Yup, that has a probability factor of about 95%.

If you (the O.P.) are mechanically inclined, you could fix this yourself for
less than $10. I did mine on a '94 eagle 3.3L. About an hour an half total
time (removal, repair, and install,) and less than $5 in parts from the
local "Auto Electric" rebuild shop...

 

Starter solenoid contacts. Classic failure mode on the Nippondenso
gear-reduction starter.

 

Very typical failure on Nippondenso solenoid contacts. Check out this web
site for replacements if you can't find a local rebuilder that will sell
them to you. Very easy to replace them. Make sure you clean up the plunger
contact ring with a stiff wire brush and electrical contact cleaner. The
site provides clear pictures and lists which parts you will need. Note
these are the same starters used in Nissan vehicles.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml


Good luck.

Bob

 

Nice site... Very pricy compared to what I paid at the local rebuilders,
however. Contacts cost me $1.30-something for both, and a new plunger ran
$3-something. Total cost was $5.03 including 6% tax...

Definitely look locally first...

 

My closest "local" alternator/starter rebuilder was 40 miles away and the
prices for the contacts were higher than what this guy wanted at the web
site. Yes, do check locally first, but not every rebuilder encourages the
sale of parts. Sounds like you found a nice guy.

I own 3 Chryslers and a Mitsubishi, all of which use the Nippondenso
starter. Family members also have the same and nearly all have required
contacts about every 5-7 years depending on the frequency of starting. I
bought the volume package from the guy on the web for a lot less than a
single rebuilt starter.

Bob

 

funny thing
customer brings me a a van with a 3.8 and it does the click thing' and he brings
in starter that is a reman bosch he got and of course he's waiting for the job
to get done and the van has 213 k on the clock and it's really rusted on' i had
to pound out the old one' get new one in and it starts great the first 6 times
then bam it clicks again
boss is giving me that 48 years in the biz look he has mastered
and we do a voltage drop test to the wiring all is good except starter
i asked the customer if he took his own eggs to the restaurant and all he could
do was laugh
he was trying to save the 40 dollars more, we would have charged for a good new
one from our supplier but when i inform he as to pay us twice for labor off
he went to get a new one that was not in stock. moral is you get what you pay
for and Murphy's watching you. i'm sure that since he is a regular he will get
the new one installed for free, it's our way of kicking murphy in the butt