Chrysler Repair: 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan starting problem, dodge grand caravan, motor armature

Question
I have a '99 Grand caravan with a 3.3 liter v6.  For the last few weeks we have been experiencing sporadic starting.  We would go to start the van, and fairly often when you turn the key... nothing but relay clicking, and vent control hum is heard. Have tried to wiggle the transmission shift lever,(suspecting that the interlock? may be shorted) tried to start in neutral, all to no avail.  We have also tried to take out, and re-insert the key.  Result: no go.  Sometimes it takes a half dozen, to a dozen tries to get it to start. Other times, it starts right up as if there was nothing wrong. Also I know I have a good battery.  I suspect the ignition switch, or the relay.

Answer
Hi Jon,
If you can hear the fairly loud click coming from the engine where the starter motor solenoid is being energized, that means that the ignition switch, the starter motor relay, the park/neutral safety interlock are all working fine. That leaves the starter motor itself or the wire that connects the battery to the motor. I would suggest that you check the cable clamps at the battery and the condition of the wires where they attach to the clamps. If that all appears OK and you believe the battery is well charged, then you have to believe that either the starter solenoids internal switch contacts, the starter motor armature/brushes are worn enough to not conduct current sufficient to spin the start motor itself. That would lead you to rebuilding the motor or replacing it with a rebuild. So the bottom line sound is the loud click. If that is reliably happening then you have eliminated most of the possibilities other than the battery connections, solenoid switch/starter motor. The solenoid is part of the starter motor so you need to remove the starter motor to examine it in anycase.
There are no special tricks to removing the starter motor. Just be sure to disconnect the - clamp from the battery, and observe for the spacer between the motor and its mounting flange that you will want to re-use. Torque the starter motor bolts to 40 foot-pounds.
Roland