Chrysler Repair: T&C MiniVan Relay or Fuse Problem?, amp fuses, solenoid switch

Question
Hi!  I was hoping you could help me... I was checking the Airbag fuse and horn relay on my 2000 Chrysler T&C (the lights on the dash were on and the horn was not working).  The fuse was fine and the relay I tested with another relay (low beam lights).  When I replaced the fuses and relay back to original positions the car would not start.  I have checked all the fuses - I'm not sure if there is a way to check to see if a relay is good or bad, and did a some exchanging of relays (all are the same type), but no luck.  The car just clicks when turned over.  The dash lights up, the radio and AC work.  Any ideas?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Christy,
When you say "clicks" there are two things that both need to click for the starter motor to go into action. One is the starter relay (in the power distribution center with alot of other relays and fuses) and that is a quiet click.
So if you hear a click, that at least has to be working, but then the question is has the power that the relay connects been lost becasue if a bad or loose fuse. Check all the 40 amp fuses in the distribution center to see that they are good and tightly fit in their sockets (Fuse #23 might be the one in question, but I'm not sure). If so then we can assume that the current is going thru the relay and on to the starter motor solenoid switch which simultaneously should produce a louder click than the relay click. If that doesn't happen, then the brown wire from the starter relay to the solenoid switch at the starter may be loose or the starter solenoid is not working correctly. If you get the loud click at the solenoid of the starter motor then the possibilities are that the solenoid's switch contacts are poor and not apply the 12V direct supply to the motor that comes on the big red wire to the motor, or that the motor is sitting at a dead spot on its armature, or that the battery is too discharged to turnover the starter motor. The latter might be the case if the lights dim when you hear the loud click. Then you need to charge the battery.  You could try to trip the motor from a dead spot by tapping on the motor outer shell case with a hammer (but don't over due this, just modest tapping), and finally you could very carefully (empasize VERY) try to jump a lead from the big red battery wire (which is always hot and must never be grouned or you will get burned) to the motor terminal of the starter relay using a very heavy gauge wire and being very careful not to short it to ground. If the motor works that way then the solenoid is bad. If it doesn't work that way then the starter motor is probably bad.
So write back and tell me what is going on.
If I'm maxed out, send me an email to rfinston@hotmail.com
I won't be able to respond probably till after 10:30 pm PDT.
Roland