caravan wont start after accident
mcmicken
03-28-2010, 03:48 PM
I rearended someone & damaged the front end pretty good. nothing mechanical seems visibly wrong, it was just body damage. car wont start though. pulled off plug wire & cranked. no spark. does the serpentine belt have to be on because i took it off. Thanks
tempfixit
03-28-2010, 07:19 PM
No serpentine belt should not effect the starting of engine. What year and engine. Where was the front end damaged?? Depending on year I believe the PCM is on the driver side under the battery.
mcmicken
03-28-2010, 09:53 PM
The front driver side got most of the damage. Next to the battery & below a black box with fuses & relays is a rectangular gray module looking thing that is bolted to the inner fender. It was busted off. There is a sticker on the bottom with bar codes. Is that the pcm?
tempfixit
03-28-2010, 11:07 PM
Here is a link to picture of ecm (pcm), click on the enlarge and it will give better pics of it. I suspect that you are taling about the ECM.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Engine+Control+Module/01599/C0334.oap?keyword=pcm&year=1998&make=Dodge&model=Grand%2BCaravan&vi=1314493
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Engine+Control+Module/01599/C0334.oap?keyword=pcm&year=1998&make=Dodge&model=Grand%2BCaravan&vi=1314493
serge_saati
03-29-2010, 12:02 AM
It's maybe the ICM (ignition control module). Not sure if Caravan have this, but 95-97 3L Windstar have it.
hundahunta
03-30-2010, 12:11 AM
yes it is
mcmicken
03-30-2010, 09:23 AM
Yes. That is exactly what it looks like. It was snapped off of the fender. Could that be the problem?
serge_saati
03-30-2010, 09:32 AM
Yes, I think.
mcmicken
04-27-2010, 05:22 PM
I got a used pcm from a junk yard. plugged it in & still no spark. I didnt bolt it to the fender though. Does it have to be bolted to the fender? Also, the salvage yard told me that the pcm has to be taken to the dealer to be programmed to my car. Does that sound right?
serge_saati
04-27-2010, 05:56 PM
No, I don't think it need to be programmed.
Are you sure it's not the ICM that needed to be replaced? Do you have a pic of the damaged location?
Are you sure it's not the ICM that needed to be replaced? Do you have a pic of the damaged location?
mcmicken
04-27-2010, 07:54 PM
I dont have a pic. Most of the damage was done to the front driver side. The grey & black box below the battery (pcm or ecm?) & attached to the inner fender was completely broken off from the fender. It has 2 plugs on it. I got another one to try from a salvage yard. Does it have to be bolted to the fender just to try to see if it works? I wasnt sure if it had to be grounded or not. What does the ICM look like? Does the ICM have anything to do with spark?
serge_saati
04-27-2010, 08:42 PM
No, it doesn't need to be bolted. It's already grounded through wires.
ICM (ignition control module) is responsible to control the spark system on some models. On other models, it's incorporated in the PCM.
ICM (ignition control module) is responsible to control the spark system on some models. On other models, it's incorporated in the PCM.
tempfixit
04-27-2010, 08:50 PM
Did you check for any codes before removing existing ECM??? What condition is the fuse block you are talking about under the hood???? Crankshaft sensor possibly???
What year and engine is this vehicle???
What year and engine is this vehicle???
mcmicken
04-27-2010, 08:56 PM
It is a 2000 Dodge Caravan with a 3.3 liter engine. The fuse & relay control center that is full of fuses & relays was knocked loose also but nothing looked physically damaged. How do I know if the icm is in the pcm or not? The crankshaft sensor is inside the transmission housing. I pulled it out & it looks intact.
serge_saati
04-27-2010, 09:06 PM
ICM usually have one row of 12 contacts on it.
The PCM usually have 3 row of 26 pins (78 total)
The PCM usually have 3 row of 26 pins (78 total)
mcmicken
04-27-2010, 09:33 PM
On the plug or is this inside the fuse/relay box?
serge_saati
04-27-2010, 09:55 PM
On the plugs bundle. I never seen a PCM or ICM in a fuse box.
But if it has only 2 plugs, it's neither the PCM nor ICM.
But if it has only 2 plugs, it's neither the PCM nor ICM.
mcmicken
04-28-2010, 09:46 PM
My caravan has a PCM. I have it pulled out & sitting in front of me.
serge_saati
04-28-2010, 10:00 PM
Of course you have one.
But you said somewhere "It has 2 plugs on it". It's why I thought that it was something else broken. Like something with just 2 contacts.
But you said somewhere "It has 2 plugs on it". It's why I thought that it was something else broken. Like something with just 2 contacts.
mcmicken
04-28-2010, 10:09 PM
Sorry. I meant that it has 2 rectangular ports where 2 plugs from the wiring harness plug into. So what should I do now?
serge_saati
04-28-2010, 11:46 PM
Check voltage pulse on 3 inputs of coil when you crank. In the coil connector.
Normally, the PCM should send spark pulse w/o being re-programed.
Normally, the PCM should send spark pulse w/o being re-programed.
mcmicken
04-29-2010, 08:49 AM
What do I use to check voltage pulse?
serge_saati
04-29-2010, 10:38 AM
A voltmeter.
mcmicken
04-29-2010, 10:57 AM
Can I check the crankshaft position sensor the same way?
serge_saati
04-29-2010, 11:06 AM
yes, but in mV AC for this one.
the other is in VDC.
the other is in VDC.
mcmicken
04-29-2010, 09:28 PM
Do you know where I can download a wiring diagram online?
serge_saati
04-29-2010, 11:08 PM
There's no free online wiring diagram. But you can try google the schematic you want and if you're lucky, you'll find it.
But you don't need a wiring diagram for testing coil and CKP sensor or diagnose an ignition system, it's to simple. It's the same ignition diagram for all V6 since 1990. I can give you the ignition diagram of my car if you want.
But you don't need a wiring diagram for testing coil and CKP sensor or diagnose an ignition system, it's to simple. It's the same ignition diagram for all V6 since 1990. I can give you the ignition diagram of my car if you want.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026
