Chrysler Repair: Starter Solenoid, solenoid switch, starter solenoid

Question
Roland,

I have a 2004 Chrysler T&C which I believe has a bad starter/solenoid. I may be a little old school, but is the solenoid on the starter or is it seperate like cars long ago??
FYI, I had the battery and the alternator checked...good 2 go.
Problem seems to be it hesitates when starting.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Scott,
The solenoid is part of the starter motor and gets its voltage on a yellow/gray wire which comes from the relay in the power box under the hood. Here is how I responded earlier today to a similar problem:
So the issues are: power to pin 86 of the starter relay* from the ignition switch, grounding of pin 85 by the computer (which requires to be in P/N, so check that possibilty by moving the gear shifter slightly to either side of the detent position), a starter relay that closes between pin 30 and 87 when actuated, power always available on 30, a good wire from 87 to starter motor solenoid (yellow/gray wire), and a working solenoid switch, and a working starter motor. Try jumping from 30 to 87 (while in P/N only) to see if the solenoid and motor are reliably responding. When it doesn't work have a helper try the key while you check as to whether the relay is clicking or not. Try substituting a different (non-essential) relay for the starter relay and see if that cures it, or measure the function of the relay by actuating the coil (put 12v on 86, ground 85 and then measure resistance from 30 to 87 which should be 0 ohms).
Those are the possible reasons for no starter motor action. Of course you could have a starter motor whose brushes are worn down, but at least you would expect the loud click from its solenoid switch. Absent the loud click, it could be the solenoid switch, the yellow/gray wire, the relay, the P/N switch, or the ignition switch, or the computer.
Roland
The starter relay pin 30 is the rearmost, 87 is the frontmost, 86 is inboard, and 85 is outboard. The solenoid switch is mounted on the side of the starter motor. You could test the starter/solenoid by jumping 12V to the yellow/gray wire at the solenoid.

Roland