Hello to all.

Replaced my battery two days ago. Was just barely starting the van and it was well past its life anyway.

Now, today, it does not start. Clicking noise is all I get. Headlights are not dimming when I turn the key.

Starter was strong up until today. Turns it right over... zoom.

I found some talk on the web that there is a shorting issue to watch out for. Will damage the starter if not fixed early so I'm looking for some help before I burn anything out.

sorry... van is a 1997 not 2004

 

Headlights not dimming would be the first clue for me. It won't hurt to check the Starter at your local auto parts but, no dimming or flicker of the headlights means no load draw? something loose, bad Ing switch, Relay, etc...........

 

By ignition switch I assume you mean the key switch? That seems fine since I do get the relay click when I turn it.

Is the starter relay inside the dog house or is it attached to the starter motor itself?

 

You should have a Starter Relay real close to the Battery under the Hood, and a Starter Solenoid on the Starter, either one could be stuck or bad.

 

Thanks for the help.

Will check this weekend and report back. I suspect corrosion on the leads of the motor/solenoid as this van was parked for a few years in back of a town garage in a field. Lots of moisture damage evident when I bought it.
Had to replace that tranny neutral switch for the same reason. Part of the rear seating heating pipes rusted through as well

Runs great otherwise

 

Had a similar issue with a Ford with the same style ignition. Turned out to be a combination of the ground wire from the battery and the starter solenoid. At first it was losing all power when the key was turned to start, ground wire fixed that. Then the starter would click and not turn over. Tapping the solenoid made it turn over. Swapped it out (cheap and easy) and it started ever time.

 

This is the one on the motor itself or the one on the wall near the battery?

 

Corrosion it was.

The negative wire at the starter motor came off in my hand... eaten through at the rear of the ring terminal. I was able to trim back about an inch of the insulation and crimp on a new one.

Positive was a bit loose due to eating away of the 8mm stud not. Removed it and installed a new one with split locking washer.

Started right up.