How to Replace the Starter in a Dodge Caravan

Imagine running late to get out the door for work, sitting in your 2000 to 2005 Dodge Caravan and turning the ignition. Nothing happens. You try the ignition again. Still, nothing happens. Your Dodge Caravan won't start. While any number of things can be wrong, such as a dead battery or bad alternator, there is a possibility that you need to replace the starter.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Battery terminal puller
• Car jack
• Wrench
• Baby food jar
• Torque wrench

1. Park your Dodge Caravan on a level surface, activate the emergency brake and place blocks behind the back tires for safety. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a terminal puller. Raise the front end of the car with a jack for easier access to the starter.

2. Remove the starter harness connectors and wires and starter mounting bolts. Place the bolts in the jar for safe keeping for use later. Remove the starter from the engine of your Dodge Caravan.

3. Take your malfunctioning starter to the parts store with you. Aftermarket distributors remanufacture most of the starters they sell, so you can likely obtain a partial credit toward your new starter by exchanging your old one. Be sure that you take care not to damage the starter in transit, because the better condition it is in, the more you can get for it.

4. Purchase a replacement starter that has the same or higher cranking capacity (power rating) as the original starter in your. Also, match the bolt patterns, drive gears and electrical connections. Your owner's manual may list specifications or the auto parts technician will help you determine them. Download a free owner's manual at My Dodge.

5. Reverse the removal process to install the new starter. Torque the starter mounting bolts to 35 foot pounds (47 Nm). Tighten the battery cable nut to 1000 inch pounds (11 Nm).

6. Lower your Dodge Caravan back to the ground. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the key in the ignition to see if your new starter motor functions correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Always inspect the battery, solenoid and alternator to be certain they are working properly before replacing a starter. When an engine fails to start, many do-it-yourselfers misdiagnose the problem as the starter and replace it unnecessarily, only to find that the vehicle still won't start.
• If you believe your starter is in the problem, use a bench test to see if the starter motor spins and how well the starter is performing. A bench test will check the amp load, voltage and RPMs. If the starter is good, it will draw 60 to 150 amps with no load and up to 250 amps under load. If your Dodge Caravan is an older model and/or has high mileage, you should also replace the solenoid.
• Never operate the starter for more than 30 seconds at a time. Allow the starter motor to cool for at least two minutes in between starting attempts to prevent permanent damage.
• The starter replacement process is different for later models of the Dodge Caravan. Consult your owner's manual or a mechanic for details.

Resources

• Access links to Dodge owner's manuals to download.