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98 dodge grand caravan 3.3


TexasEyes
06-10-2007, 10:37 AM
My husband is a mechanic and have asked other mechanics but no one knows, please help. We unplugged the cooliant tempertature sensors, the car just died. We turned the ignition on and nothing,not even a click. We are able to jump the starter, we are able to jump the fuel pump, checked the wiring harness for fuse links all are good, checked relays and fuses and checked to see if there is fire comeing out of ignition which there is. But still my van does not start! What could be the problem?

My van isnt starting. Now if it was the ignition switch would my van just turn off and die and not start again? We have jumped everything possible that can be jumped, we have traced down fuse links and they are all good as well as the relays. You turn the key and no clicking, nothing turns over. Please help I have 4 kids and need my car running....

RIP
06-10-2007, 04:26 PM
Not sure what a DIYer is going to tell that you don't already know but, here's what I would do.

First, welcome to the forum. Second, I'll assume the dash lights are lighting when you turn the key. Third, your problem is the starter will not rotate the engine, correct? Power path for starting is the battery/ignition switch/neutral start switch/starter relay/starter solenoid/starter and indirectly from the PCM. You've eliminated the starter and solenoid. Check the circuit from the connections at the starter backwards to the battery. Your problem is upstream from the point you loose the voltage with the key turned. It appears the PCM supplies a ground to the starter relay coil. Will it crank if you supply that ground?

Why are you checking the fuel pump if the engine won't crank/rotate? Are you not telling us something? If the ASD system is tripped, you can crank the engine all day. Just won't start...or so I've read.

Does the starter relay click? It's quieter than the starter solenoid click. Have you tried wiggling the gear shift as you try to start? Neutral start switch may be out of adjustment or corroded.

TexasEyes
06-11-2007, 09:24 AM
Not sure what a DIYer is going to tell that you don't already know but, here's what I would do.

First, welcome to the forum. Second, I'll assume the dash lights are lighting when you turn the key. Third, your problem is the starter will not rotate the engine, correct? Power path for starting is the battery/ignition switch/neutral start switch/starter relay/starter solenoid/starter and indirectly from the PCM. You've eliminated the starter and solenoid. Check the circuit from the connections at the starter backwards to the battery. Your problem is upstream from the point you loose the voltage with the key turned. It appears the PCM supplies a ground to the starter relay coil. Will it crank if you supply that ground?

Why are you checking the fuel pump if the engine won't crank/rotate? Are you not telling us something? If the ASD system is tripped, you can crank the engine all day. Just won't start...or so I've read.

Does the starter relay click? It's quieter than the starter solenoid click. Have you tried wiggling the gear shift as you try to start? Neutral start switch may be out of adjustment or corroded.

all the lights inside turn on,radio works,and such. he cant even crank the engine at all. yes the starter relay clicks. and he said he will try the wiggling. ( I had to call my husband at the shop to read him this. i dont understand any of this, but he said he will tell me more and answer more questions when he comes home for lunch.)

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