1997 Dodge Caravan won't start - has a tick tick sound

I would need to hear this noise to make a diagnosis, anything else would be a wild guess.

Does the van have an anti-theft system ?
If so you may need to reset it.
If not, a mechanic would check for voltage at the starter, the neutral safety switch, and the key switch.

You are talking about interior lights, right ?
As long as the on-time is under a minute or two, its normal.
The lights are supposed to go off as soon as you start the van tho.

fuel pump going bad possibly

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE STICKY LASH ADJUSTER(LIFTER)..MANY MILES ON IT?HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD TO CHANGE OIL AND FILTER?TRY CHANGING THE OIL AND FILTER AND ADDING AN OIL SUPPLEMENT ..IF THIS DOESN'T WORK,YOU WILL HAVE TO ISOLATE WHICH BANK OF ENGINE NOISE IS COMING FROM,REMOVE VALVE COVER AND YOU CAN TO SEE WHICH ONE(S) ARE MAKING NOISE..PUSH DOWN ON EACH ROCKER ARM..A BAD ONE WILL BE SOFT..A GOOD ONE WILL BE HARD..NO LASH..TO REPLACE..YOU REMOVE ROCKER SHAFT BOLTS AND ROCKER SHAFTS..YOU CAN PURCHASE ONLY THE ONE(S) YOU NEED..BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU REMOVE ROCKER SHAFTS..THE LIFTERS CAN FALL OUT..GET A STICKY GREASE TO HOLD THEM IN ROCKER ARMS DURING REASSEMBLY..I HOPE THIS HELPS

It's the body control module. I had the same thing happen with my caravan. It eventually evolved into the following problems no interior lights or chimes, no remote mirrors, dash lights and instrumentation goes out and ABS light comes on, no lighted vanity mirrors, blinking recirc & a/c buttons, no high beams. THe dealer said a BCM would be $700.00 with exchange otherwise w/o exchange 1200. I found one online - ebay. BE CAREFUl...if you don't have security on your vehicle DO NOT buy a unit that has the security feature..your vehicle will not run if you install this. match the part number off of your unit but also match the features.

Suzanne

check fuses

Start by removing the negative battery cable from the battery. Then locate and remove the screws that hold the interior door handles in place (they may be hidden by snap in, or snap on covers). Once you have removed the interior door handles, disconnect the wire clips that go to your window and door lock controls.
I personally use a small pry bar to remove the interior door panel; it is held in by plastic snap clips. Try to get as close to, or directly under the snap clips as possible with your pry bar to prevent them from tearing out of the door panel. Once you have released the snap clips, pull the panel upward to remove it. Install in reverse.

I hope this information helps you, and I wish you luck on your repair.

Hi savvyuserbyo;

That tick, tick sound is probably the starter solenoid trying to activate the starter.

Here's a couple of things you can try. Take a hammer and tap the starter motor (not real hard, just medium) and then try to start it.

The 2nd thing you can do it to take a piece of wire, like lamp cord and(with someone helping) touch one end to the small terminal on the starter. (There is a large battery size wire connected to a large terminal on the starter, this is not the one you use) use the small terminal. Have your helper touch the other end to the positive terminal of the battery.

If the engine cranks. the solenoid is probably bad. If it doesnt crank the starter is bad.

The final thing to do is to remove the starter (after you disconnect the ground lead of the battery) and take it to an Auto Zone type store and have them check it out for you. BTW, starter and solenoid are sold as a unit. I just replace mine on my 94 F159 and is cost $100 exchange. If you need a replacement get a rebuilt rathert than a new. Just as good and cheaper.

Hope this helps Good Luck Loringh PS Please leave a rating if Appropriate. Thanks

Sounds like battery needing a jump start.