Awilli

I have been given a 93 Caravan 3.0 L ,150K mi. All I know about it is it was running when it was parked 2-3yrs. ago. It was said it was having trouble starting,that's why it was parked, it would make a "click" "click" sound when turning the key but would start after a few attempts.That sounds to me like it was just a corroded batt. terminal, which were very corroded when I tried to boost it off. After I got it home I put a batt. out of another car (88 honda accord) in, it tried to start a couple of times but doesn't sound like it is firing at all now,I tried starting fluid staight into the throttle body, still no fire. Is this batt. too small for it to run off of ? I pulled the the air cleaner out ,it crumbled in my hands,what is the steel wool looking filter at the bottom of the air cleaner box? It is completely rusted and greasy or water is in there or something. Can I try starting without the cleaner box installed? or does that throw off the MAP? I have inspected the dist. cap,rotor, coil. They were all corroded I've cleaned them with my dremal tool as best as I could just to see if it would fire again, but no go. When I switch the key on I get all the dash lights as usuall, while cranking the "check gauges" stays on all the time. The van still has 1/4 tank of gas left in it, is this gas to old to fire? Will adding fuel stabilizer to it help? If needed how do I drain the tank? I do think I hear the fuel pump running. Also I have checked the fuses the only one I can find blown is the one for the lighter. I pulled one of the spark plugs, it was ok,seen better seen worse.it was still gapped good.
Any ideas would be very helpfull. Sorry this is so lenghty.

RIP

First I would verify the fuel pump is running when you turn the key to "on". Make sure thats the pump you hear running. Not sure if there is one but, open the test port on the fuel rail. Fuel should squirt out, not dribble with the key "on". If there's no evidense of a running pump try smacking the tank with a mallot. This sometimes releases a stuck pump. Once you know the pump is working, poor a can of fuel stabilizer in the tank and fill it with fresh gas. I would think 3/4 tank of fresh gas would be enough to dilute the old gas. Change the fuel filter.

Check for spark using a timing light on each plug wire. Or you can pull a plug and and check for spark that way. In any case I would change the cap, wires and plugs. Make sure the rotor spins when you crank. This indicates the timing belt has not broken. If you're not getting spark or fuel you may have to look at the automatic shutdown system or ASD.

Not sure this works on a 93 but push the trip reset and odometer buttons at the same time for 5 seconds. This will start a calibration cycle and may get rid of the check gauges light.

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07 Fusion / 06 RAV4 / 06 Accord / 96 Gr Caravan / 94 Camry

Awilli

Well, what I've done today is trying to syphon the gas out of the tank. there must be some sort of "anti-syphoning" device in there ,cause the hose would not go down but so far, it was wet when it came out but I could not get a vacuum to pull any fuel out.
Thanks for the ideas RIP. I will look for a test port on the rail for the fuel pump. I am sure it needs a cap and rotor, I was hoping to see if it would run before I go pumping any money into it. How do I look into the ASD if that ends up being the problem. Do you think the batt. I am using is big enough? does it matter what size batt. you use? I went to wally-world earlier to get the right battery, they were 68 bucks! I can't go that right now. the one that was in it is not that old, but it is completely dead. I checked it with my digital multimeter, it shows .20 volts. Any way to revive that one? my charger won't charge anything < 1 volt.

Awilli

Here's a good news follow-up! I got her to fire up today! Hasn't stayed running yet though. What I have done today is drain the fuel tank. And I found a elect. connection on the positive batt. cable that had a few of the pins inside corroded, I guess from that old battery that was in there. I Don't know what this connection is called so if anyone else is having simular starting problems just follow the pos.(+) batt.cable behind the battery and you'll see a grey and a black one, the grey one is the one that had the corrosion inside. Not to say this was the only problem. As I said at the begining I found a way to drain the fuel tank. Some of you probably know there is a drain hose located on the rear of the fuel tank,between the spare tire and the fuel tank, I found this out by going to the ( I hope this is legal to say this) autozone website and going through their repair guides. I don't know if the gas was that old (it still smelled like fuel,at first it was almost clear, but then turned a little more yellow.I am going to pour some in a glass jar to see if there is water in it) or if the fuel pump was stuck from sitting up so long, but its humming now! I thought I had a couple of gallons to put back in it after I drained the tank,but what I ended up with was barely a gallon. I don't think its enough to keep it running. Also I don't have the aircleaner back on yet. Can anyone let me know if I can leave this off long enough to see if its going to run right or is this making the M.A.P. not work? anyway, I know I got fire and fuel. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please post em or email me! I'm charging the borrowed battery now. I guess the alt. isn't working to well in the accord. Nothing like maintaining junk! I'll post a follow up when I get it to stay running.