How do I test and troubleshoot a Sears DieHard 28-71223 Multi-Stage Battery Charger/Engine Starter?

From your description it would seem there either is a battery problem, a problem with the battery leads/connections, a problem with the engine or the starter motor is ready for an overhaul.

Clever battery chargers aren't always to be relied on and it is best to carry out other tests - if the cells are accessible the old fashioned hydrometer gives an instant reading of the state of charge, relative cell condition and the electrolyte condition. A heavy discharge tester checks the terminal voltage can be maintained under load for 10-15 seconds. I use both methods. You should at least have a voltmeter connected while trying to start - if nothing is getting smoking hot but the voltage has dropped lower than about 3/4 of the off-load voltage, one (or both) of the batteries is less than good; again if there is a cell that isn't good the electrolyte would typically gas violently when it is under load.
Where a pair of batteries are fitted either in parallel or series it is best to replace them in pairs as the older battery will have a higher resistance to being charged so after a while one battery will be charged more than the other meaning more time with the battery charger.

Checking the voltage is about the same at the starter when trying to start as it is at the battery gives an idea of the condition of the leads and connections - a bad connection will get quite hot under load, though expect a general warming of most of the system.

If everything tests ok up to now, it will be time to remove the starter and take a look inside...

Yes take it most any car parts store. Many will do it free.

Its possible that the Starter is bad. But check your Starter relay first. If you use jumper cables and bridge the main cable on one side of the Relay to the opposite side, and it works, the Relay is bad. About $15 for the part.

When you test for Battery voltage, hook the POS end of your charger to the Battery side of the Relay. If your Battery post is dirty, you may have 12 or more Volts at the Battery, but nothing at the Solenoid. Then you just need to clean the cable and try it.

If you get the Van to run, you can always go to Autozone or Oreillys and have them do a Starter draw test. Then you will be confident about the Starters' condition and you will not have to remove it for nothing. The tests are free as well as them using a scanner on your vehicle.

Sears Diehard or Interstate would make a battery for your vehicle. Look for something with over 600 cca and you should be ok for the winter.

Diehard makes a Platinum battery, but it costs over $189.99.
Diehard Gold batteries are like $109 or so.

Walmart sells batteries that are comparable to the Diehard Gold for under $100.

However, I just bought a Platinum battery for my 1997 Cadillac Deville Limo and it seems to work alright so far and has a 4 year free replacement warranty.

In general, the more you pay, the better the battery up to the 'best' which is the Diehard Platinum.
Walmart and Interstate do not offer a battery that has as long of a warranty or as good of a design as the Platinum from Diehard which uses proprietary technology to get a better warranty than normal.

The Platinum name in the PT Cruiser has nothing to do with the Platinum name for Diehard, by the way.

Good luck on finding a suitable replacement battery for your 2004 PT Cruiser Platinum.

I put a Diehard Platinum battery in mine for about $189.99 plus tax at Sears Holdings or Sears for short.

It has a 4 year free replacement warranty, the best in the business, and has higher cca's than the Gold version of the Diehard which is equivalent to the best that Walmart sells.

Good luck on buying the 'best' battery for your Cadillac.

The best battery offered by Sears costs about $189.99 and has a 4 year free replacement warranty (Platinum).
One can get the Gold by Sears for $109.99 or so which has higher than oem cca.

Probably the Gold would suit your needs, but if you have the extra money, the $189.99 Platinum should last for many years to come, and uses advance technology.

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Product Description The P-5 Platinum Automotive Battery from DieHard features 100 minutes of reserve capacity and 740 cold cranking amps. Its corrosion-resistant high quality tin-coated brass terminals provide reliable starting power in all weather conditions. Its rugged, military-grade construction features robust casing for increased compression and offers superior vibration resistance, making it ideal for off-road applications.

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OK, if the battery has 12.5 volts or so, the charger will say it's fully charged. But, the real test is to load test it and check for CCA which should be like 550 CCA and above for most cars.

You could purchase a new battery from Walmart, an auto parts store, or Sears, and before you purchase it, have them test the old one to see if it is bad or good.

Once, you have a known good battery, then you can try it in the car. If it just clicks and grinds but doesn't turn the engine over, then you know you have a bad starter in the car, which will have to be changed.

try car to car boost-battery charger may not be working correctly or set on low amp charge -interior lights and dash may all light but battery may not be strong enough to energize starter have battery tested if battery good than check for power to the starter if power-- starter may be shot can remove also and have tested at most auto stores free if no power battery -wiring-or connection issue would need to test fuse panel-ignition switch and starter solenoid

if the battery you installed was charged and was up to at least 12 volts,it should have turn the engine over quickly,since you still had to jump a good battery to get started,you must have a starter dragging,you will need to change it

check your to see if your sun visor compartment lights or staying on,known problem