Mechanical Help Needed

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426) 01/03/2015 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

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I think I might have posted about it earlier, but my 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan is having a few issues. The big one now is that it needs a starter. Now, my mom went to a mechanic and they anted to charge over $400 to fix it. I think that's way to much. Does anyone have any idea what actually needs to be done, how hard it might be, and what is should realistically cost?

dogisbadob > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 14:46

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That doesn't seem too out-of-line. Figure 2-3 hours of labor and maybe a couple hundred for the starter. Transverse V6 engines SUCK.

Just wait until it needs a transmission!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 14:47

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Ive helped SB62's dad replace the starter on his 95 caravan. The starter is a $200 part but its very difficult to access. So if you have someone else do it, the labor charges are going to be expensive. It took us about 2 hours to replace it.

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 14:47

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If this advice is crap please ignore me.

I'm not familiar with the actual vehicle but you should be able to change it easily and score some bonus family points with your mum(mom). If you can get a new/reco or second hand starter motor it's a simple job to swap them.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > dogisbadob 01/03/2015 at 14:48

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already did the tranny. I looked up how to do the starter and it's right on the bottom and seemed relatively easy. Also, most of the time it's a rebuild kit.

Funktheduck > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 15:04

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When the starter went out on my corolla they wanted to charge me over $500. The starter alone was $225 and they wanted to charge 2 1/2 hours labor. The starter came with a 6 month warranty.

I went to autozone. Spent $80 and it took me 45 minutes. I watched a YouTube video first to see if I could and tackled the job after seeing how easy it was.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 15:07

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The real question is does the starter in this case require adjustment or fine tuning after it has been installed. I've never done a starter before and know little about it but I know starters on old V-8s and such required adjustment via shims, I've got no idea if that is needed on a more modern transverse V-6

ttyymmnn > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 15:08

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I will second what Funktheduck said. I would bet that there is a youtube video available that will walk you through it. Find one and watch it through. See if you think you're up to it. It's probably not that terribly difficult. And if you can do it yourself, that's a major win.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > ttyymmnn 01/03/2015 at 15:17

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Its gonna be a pain in the ass, but ya he can totally do it

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/03/2015 at 15:45

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Do you need a van? Maybe just get rid of it... Yours has sounded expensive to just keep running.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/03/2015 at 15:55

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After doing the trans and new tires, it don't want to just trash it. I would never get any money for it and I rely on it a great deal.

orcim > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/04/2015 at 04:09

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Dunno about Dodge, but my Toyota starter would burn through the contacts inside the starter. I had to take it out, replace the copper contacts inside (assuming the solenoid and motor are still good.. that's a matter of behavior, typically intermittent clicking but with strong battery power. But it gets a little worse over time until it's 20 clicks to the start [if you let it get that far.])

About 1/20th the cost, and not that complex. But if you can see it, and the bolts aren't hidden and require weird ass tools that some fuck-head of an automobile designer decided was 'beautiful', then you can totally just do what others have said and get a new/reconditioned one and stick it in.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/05/2015 at 15:53

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Say that if you want. But a 1995 Caravan is never going to get more reliable. Ditch it.

PaulCahill-Go2Fast > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/07/2015 at 13:20

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car-part.com for a recycled part.

AgentRockstar > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/07/2015 at 22:28

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I'm confused, did he post about a van, but it's really this car and he's trolling?


Like "look at my pinto bro" but it's really a Lambo?

anotherbagoforanges > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/08/2015 at 02:43

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalatio…

Get out while you can!