Why does your 1996 dodge caravan battery go dead when you turn the key and it wont turn over just make a clicking noise?

The key point to this question is that the battery goes dead!!. The clicking noise indicates a weak battery because it does not have enough charge to keep the relay/solenoid held in to engage starter. Try to get a jump, and if it starts, let engine run for about 10 minutes while driving or fast idle. Shut down engine and see if it starts, if it does, then check voltage with volt meter across battery terminals. It should be 14.5 or 15 volts. then shut down engine and it should read 12v - 12.5v. Make sure battery and starter and solenoid terminals are clean and tight. try again an hour later. If same thing happens, your battery is probably no good, because when it was running, the voltage across battery was 14.5v, meaning that your generator is charging.