The van ONLY starts when I have it jumped

Hi Angel,

Have you tested the alternator? I'm wondering if it's got a low output such that it is putting out enough power to keep the van running but not enough to charge the battery fully enough to start the van. The starter takes a lot more power than anything else.

Couple of things to check:

1. With the van running, measure the voltage across the battery terminals. You should see something in the neighborhood of 14-15 volts; with the van off it should be around 12V.
2. Most auto parts stores will test your alternator for free; some of them require the alternator to be out of the car, but others have some tests that can be done in the car. Call first to find out what they can test.
3. How about using a battery charger to fully charge the battery then try starting it? If that works, it would tend to support the theory of a bad alternator.

If you want to post pictures of the wires you couldn't figure out, along with what color(s) they are, we might be able to look up wiring diagrams and figure out where they're supposed to be.

Also, can you clarify what you mean by "it wont start back up unless it is jumped"? Does it fail to even turn the starter, or does it crank and crank and not catch? The better you can describe what it does when you turn the key, the better the answers you'll get.

Let us know what you find.