Vannin' Home Forums Dodge General Discussion Starter question

Ive noticed that when the van is starting from a cold start it takes a few turns to fire up. Nothing crazy but still hesitates a little. After driving it for a bit if I turn it off and try to recrank it, it will act almost like the battery is dead. It will barely want to turn over and will be real sluggish. Then right when i think im stuck it will catch and turn over. Here is the crazy part. If I come back after the van has sit, it will fire right up so the battery has a charge. Usually when a starter motor goes bad it just stops. This almost seeems like once the engine is hot the starter gets sluggish or loses power. Anyone ever deal with this? I have new battery cables and a new alternator. When I first crank the van the voltmeter on the dash shows its giving alot of charge, as I drive it starts going down bit by bit until its hovering right in the middle. I assumed it was a problem with my dash. Anyone deal with that?

Sounds like your battery is dying (reaching the end of its service life). They do wear out after a few years. Double check the battery terminals are clean and tight, but also take your battery into a parts store and have them test it for you.

Well its a new battery, maybe 6 months old. But it is a $40 walmart batteryso that could be the problem. Ill swap with a new one and see if that fixes it

Well its a new battery, maybe 6 months old. But it is a $40 walmart batteryso that could be the problem. Ill swap with a new one and see if that fixes it

Test it first! Make sure it is bad before you replace it.