Chrysler Repair: 2002 Chrysler T & C: Starter motor intermittent, solenoid switch, starter relay

Question
Intermittently won't start. Turn ignition switch to start and nothing happens. Lights stay normal intensity. Put meter on the battery and voltage at 13 off, 11.7 on and 11.7 when turned to start. Dips below 10 when it does work. Changed the ignition switch and it was OK for two weeks. Is there a chip in the key that needs to be present? Does the computer have anything to do with the starter function, I know it sets timing and mixture, but the starter? Looking for loose wires and relays.

THank you for your help

Answer
Hi Lee,
The security key immobilizer module system (SKIM) does not affect the starter motor. Instead it shuts off the engine after a couple of seconds of running. The computer only affects the starter by checking that you are in park or neutral and if so it will ground the actuation coil of the starter relay. 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