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I have a 2000 Dodge Caravan. Drove last ...


Sent to Car Experts July 17, 2006 3:11 p.m.

I have a 2000 Dodge Caravan. Drove last night....everything fine. Went out today to get into the car and there was a clicking sound in the area around where the switches for the inside/dash lights etc. Won't start...jumped battery...nothing. Reached over and turned the little dial for the panel lights off and the clicking stopped. Any ideas?

Optional Information:
2000 Dodge Caravan 2.4 L

Already Tried:
Nothing, but tried to jump battery.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $10   
Answer
July 17, 2006 10:04 p.m. (6 hours and 53 minutes later)
ACCEPTED Check Mark

Hi thanks for your question.

I believe what happened is that the light dimmer was turned to where it switched on the dome lights on. Then the battery went dead overnight. The clicking would have been a relay for the dome lights. There was enough power to energise the relay, but once energised, lost all power with the extra load from the bulbs.

Verify by seeing if your headlights work. They should be dim or inoperative.

You may not have had a good connection with your jumper cables, or the battery is too low. If you have a battery charger, try charging it. Otherwise you may have to remove it, and take it somewhere to have it charged.

Edited by ronrutgers on July 17 2006 at 10:10pm


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RonRepair  -- Auto Mechanic/Tech -- 95% Positive Feedback on 67 Car Accepts
40 years of experience on all makes, 15 yrs. ASE Master Tech, 5 yrs. Certified Toyota Tech

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