Answer
Jan 06, 2026 - 05:35 PM
If it’s a 3.8 Caravan and it’s no crank, dead when you turn the key, you’re in the starter circuit, not fuel or spark.
Stuff I’d hit first:
- battery terminals tight and clean
- battery actually good, not just showing volts
- check the grounds — these vans hate bad grounds
Turn the key:
- no click at all → relay, ignition switch, or neutral safety
- click but no crank → starter or bad cable
Real common on these:
- starter relay (easy, cheap, fails a lot)
- neutral safety switch — try starting in Neutral
- ignition switch (key feels normal but sends nothing)
- starter motor — they just quit sometimes
Quick checks:
- try Neutral
- jump the starter relay
- see if you’ve got power at the starter when the key’s turned
- if it cranks when jumped, wiring/switch issue
- if it won’t, starter or ground
If you want to stop guessing, the Caravan service & repair manual shows the whole starting circuit and where to test so you can see exactly where power stops.
Perhaps you could reach out to us with the model year and we'll happily assist you further.
