Is it dead, Jim?

Here's one for ya...

1988 Dodge Caravan with 210K miles. 3L V6, 3spd auto. Died suddenly as I was driving home after a tuneup. I replaced the plugs (platinums) wires, cap, rotor, and did an oil change. This happened over a year ago so my memory of the code that was generated is gone, but i remember it being something like the computer not sensing a signal (crank angle?) from the distributor.

Replaced distributor and brain box, still no joy. Replaced fuel pump, on the off chance that was the problem. removed the engine wiring harness and traced all of the wires - it checks out OK. The computer seems to have locked out all functions: spark, injectors and even the fuel pump. Nothing works, but the engine turns over.

Is there some kind of lockout relay that might be bad? At this point I'm stumped...I've got some free time coming up and I'd like to get her running again - there's a lot of life left in there, somewhere!

Thanx in advance for any advice you can provide!

J.

Sounds like you're getting no spark (or out of time). You should get the codes again and resolve them because they are telling you what the fault is. The one you mentioned - "crank angle" is set when either no signal at the distributor, a camshaft sensor, or the crankshaft sensor is bad. It's rather cryptic and catchall and means there's no timing signal or a no spark condition. I suspect its the crankshaft sensor that you next want to look into/replace.

If you've forgotten how to get the codes:\

Chysler computer codes (80-95 Chysler's):

Chysler faults codes are stored in the computer for up to 50 ignition starts. Each code is two digits. Beware that some problems can generate multiple faults codes. The code's meaning (i.e. faulty sensor) can be found by doing a web search using keywords "Chryler computer codes".

To obtain codes: Turning the ignition key on-off-on three times (don't start the engine) will put the
computer into diagnostic mode. Watch the "check engine" light. Count the flashes for each digit which is followed by a pause between digits. Two digits to a code with the end ofthe list being code 55.

To reset the codes, turn the ignition key on-off-on 50-55 times (don't start the engine).

Thanks for the quick reply! I never thought about those sensors - in fact, I thought they were only on the 3.3. I'll start with the crank sensor first, and see where that takes me. The only problem is that the car sat with no battery for several months. Will the codes be erased? Can the computer store a code while it's only cranking and not running?

The old codes may have been lost, but the computer will go thru its diagnostic routine each time the ignition is turned on. If it don't start, you'll get a code.

I tried your suggestions, but I'm going to have to charge the battery first! There wasn't enough juice to display the codes. Stay tuned...I'll put it on the charger tonight and let you know what happens tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Update: battery charged, hooked up, ready to go. Did the usual '3 key' to get the diagnostics - nada! The light never flashed. I cranked the engine several times and tried again, still nothing, not even the normal Code 12.

I'm using the original computer, the one that was in the car when it died. Could it be fried?

I checked the Auto Shutdown relay - appears normal. I'm getting 12 volts on one coil terminal to ground, but not between both coil terminals, which is telling me that the computer is still controlling the relay.

The battery is now back on the charger. :rolleyes:

Thoughts?

You should get a code 55 at a minimum if it goes thru its diagnostics. If its not doing diagnostics properly, then it does look like the computer is bad.
I am not surprised that the the engine will turn over. That's just the starter and relay engaging. The computer will control the spark. If it is bad, then, not much on that engine will run.

hello i have a 91 grand caravan 3.3 with a code 11 crank angle, how big of a job to replace this senser ?

All righty then...

I've got another comp that I picked up at a junkyard...I'll pop that in tomorrow and see if I can get it to generate any codes. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks Muchly!!

J.

Did you do the usual checks?
Do you have a good spark at the coil, at the spark plug wires.??
If you do, do you have fuel coming into the engine?
I would not be chasing anything else until those two things are checked...Jose.

Yeah, I've checked everything...no spark, no fuel, no codes. All that free time I thought I had coming is on hold, and for now, so is the car. Thank goodness it's not my daily driver!

My next move is to replace the computer with another one I have. Just need a New York minute to do it in!

Maybe later this week. Until then, stay tuned...

Thanks!

J.