04 Caravan WONT START!! :(
jasonsteele
02-27-2006, 06:31 AM
:banghead:
It's a wonder the North American auto makers are starving!!!!
My 04 Caravan with 71000kms on it will not start. About 6 days ago, I filled the tank at a station I don't normally use. (a little mom n pop gas bar) Drove the car 500 kms highway driving...no problems. The next day it started fine...half way through that day, I went to start it and had to crank it about six times to start. Ran fine for 3 days. Went out yesterday to start it and it would not start. Its cranking, just not firing. Plugged in the block heater (its cold here) and went to the store to get some gas line antifreeze. After about 45 minutes and continuous cranking over that time, it started. Ran great all day. Put in some gas conditioner (injector cleaner). That night after it was parked for 3 hours, went out to start, and it would fire again. Finally had it towed. Oh yes...after all that cranking, I could not smell any fuel. I even pumped the pedal, to try and flood it, but still could not smell any gas. Any ideas. About 3 months ago, I had the wire replaced as there was a tech bulletin at Chrysler to replace them (had some rough idle problems)
HELP!
Thanks
It's a wonder the North American auto makers are starving!!!!
My 04 Caravan with 71000kms on it will not start. About 6 days ago, I filled the tank at a station I don't normally use. (a little mom n pop gas bar) Drove the car 500 kms highway driving...no problems. The next day it started fine...half way through that day, I went to start it and had to crank it about six times to start. Ran fine for 3 days. Went out yesterday to start it and it would not start. Its cranking, just not firing. Plugged in the block heater (its cold here) and went to the store to get some gas line antifreeze. After about 45 minutes and continuous cranking over that time, it started. Ran great all day. Put in some gas conditioner (injector cleaner). That night after it was parked for 3 hours, went out to start, and it would fire again. Finally had it towed. Oh yes...after all that cranking, I could not smell any fuel. I even pumped the pedal, to try and flood it, but still could not smell any gas. Any ideas. About 3 months ago, I had the wire replaced as there was a tech bulletin at Chrysler to replace them (had some rough idle problems)
HELP!
Thanks
vipergg
02-27-2006, 08:29 PM
:banghead:
It's a wonder the North American auto makers are starving!!!!
My 04 Caravan with 71000kms on it will not start. About 6 days ago, I filled the tank at a station I don't normally use. (a little mom n pop gas bar) Drove the car 500 kms highway driving...no problems. The next day it started fine...half way through that day, I went to start it and had to crank it about six times to start. Ran fine for 3 days. Went out yesterday to start it and it would not start. Its cranking, just not firing. Plugged in the block heater (its cold here) and went to the store to get some gas line antifreeze. After about 45 minutes and continuous cranking over that time, it started. Ran great all day. Put in some gas conditioner (injector cleaner). That night after it was parked for 3 hours, went out to start, and it would fire again. Finally had it towed. Oh yes...after all that cranking, I could not smell any fuel. I even pumped the pedal, to try and flood it, but still could not smell any gas. Any ideas. About 3 months ago, I had the wire replaced as there was a tech bulletin at Chrysler to replace them (had some rough idle problems)
HELP!
Thanks
Get some isopropol (ISOHEET) gas line antifreeze , not injector cleaner this does nothing for water . also most small bottles will only treat 10 gallons so you will need 2 per tankful . try it thru a couple of tanks and see if that helps, get isopropol not methanol antifreeze .
It's a wonder the North American auto makers are starving!!!!
My 04 Caravan with 71000kms on it will not start. About 6 days ago, I filled the tank at a station I don't normally use. (a little mom n pop gas bar) Drove the car 500 kms highway driving...no problems. The next day it started fine...half way through that day, I went to start it and had to crank it about six times to start. Ran fine for 3 days. Went out yesterday to start it and it would not start. Its cranking, just not firing. Plugged in the block heater (its cold here) and went to the store to get some gas line antifreeze. After about 45 minutes and continuous cranking over that time, it started. Ran great all day. Put in some gas conditioner (injector cleaner). That night after it was parked for 3 hours, went out to start, and it would fire again. Finally had it towed. Oh yes...after all that cranking, I could not smell any fuel. I even pumped the pedal, to try and flood it, but still could not smell any gas. Any ideas. About 3 months ago, I had the wire replaced as there was a tech bulletin at Chrysler to replace them (had some rough idle problems)
HELP!
Thanks
Get some isopropol (ISOHEET) gas line antifreeze , not injector cleaner this does nothing for water . also most small bottles will only treat 10 gallons so you will need 2 per tankful . try it thru a couple of tanks and see if that helps, get isopropol not methanol antifreeze .
jasonsteele
03-01-2006, 07:52 AM
So for anyone that cares.....or perspective Caravan wannabees...read on...
So....2 hours of shop time, and the dealer still can't find the problem. Apparently it is a wiring problem from relay to sensor to fuel pump. but they can't seem to pinpoint the wire!!!
All I see is $$$$$$$ !!!!
Next day....
So $300 later from the dealer and this is what they came up with.
"Open circuit in wiring between PCM and Automatic Shutdown Relay."
Chrysler service Tech labor to find problem - $228.00
5 ft of Wire and shrink tube for wire$ - $ 2.50
Van back in driveway to drive 4 kids to hockey - PRICELESS!!!!
They didnt even find the "open" circuit. Instead of openning the harness to find it, they just ran a single wire along the harness and did some fancey shrink tubing to protect it! (what caused the "open" break in the wire, will I be driving down the highway and have another wire in the harness break and cause another problem, one of more safety related issues?):screwy:
My next purchase....definately not a Chrysler product...and I wanted a Megacab Ram:nono:
Next day....
I am over the warranty 11,ooo kms(71,034). I also tracked down the fact that there was a recall on the PCM and the seal in the harness to the PCM for 03/04 Caravans. (the power of the internet) When I told the service manager that, he looked into it and found the same recall notice(TSB). Looking deeper into it, he said it was on Caravans built between Aug 03 and October 03. Mine was built in November 03. Figures eh?!?! Even though it is having the same symptoms as the ones with the recall, they are doing nothing about it, unless I want to pay big $$ to replace that main harness and PCM.
[b]So I wake up this morning to take kids to school and wouldn't ya know it......now the "oil" light is on and staying on. I checked the in dash diagnostics and am getting code "P0522" which is oil pressure Switch/sensor circuit voltage low, and I am sure once I look into that, it probably runs to the PCM as well! :(
So I call the service manager...he says...did you check the engine oil level....I said "you just changed the oil yesterday...why should I have to check the level if you did your job properly" but yes I did check and its fine. he said maybe it is the sending unit malfunctioning.
I even told the owner of the dealership, yesterday, "Jim Guardhouse" in Owen Sound, Ontario that if this were a "lease" I would just drop off the keys and walk away....problem is I paid cash and now I am the proud owner of a LEMON!!!
I just wish I had of looked into service issues on these vans before I bought one. I would have bought a Montana or Odyssey instead.
That is why I am enjoying this forum. I know it is too late now, but hopefully other perspective buyers will see all these problems that people are having, compare them to other car makers, and make their decisions based on that!!!! And don't get me wrong, I know that most of the problems with this vehicle are not expensive fixes,(under $500 each) but there have been far too many in under 2 years, all dealing with one main problem....electrical. And the $$ are adding up!!!!!
So....2 hours of shop time, and the dealer still can't find the problem. Apparently it is a wiring problem from relay to sensor to fuel pump. but they can't seem to pinpoint the wire!!!
All I see is $$$$$$$ !!!!
Next day....
So $300 later from the dealer and this is what they came up with.
"Open circuit in wiring between PCM and Automatic Shutdown Relay."
Chrysler service Tech labor to find problem - $228.00
5 ft of Wire and shrink tube for wire$ - $ 2.50
Van back in driveway to drive 4 kids to hockey - PRICELESS!!!!
They didnt even find the "open" circuit. Instead of openning the harness to find it, they just ran a single wire along the harness and did some fancey shrink tubing to protect it! (what caused the "open" break in the wire, will I be driving down the highway and have another wire in the harness break and cause another problem, one of more safety related issues?):screwy:
My next purchase....definately not a Chrysler product...and I wanted a Megacab Ram:nono:
Next day....
I am over the warranty 11,ooo kms(71,034). I also tracked down the fact that there was a recall on the PCM and the seal in the harness to the PCM for 03/04 Caravans. (the power of the internet) When I told the service manager that, he looked into it and found the same recall notice(TSB). Looking deeper into it, he said it was on Caravans built between Aug 03 and October 03. Mine was built in November 03. Figures eh?!?! Even though it is having the same symptoms as the ones with the recall, they are doing nothing about it, unless I want to pay big $$ to replace that main harness and PCM.
[b]So I wake up this morning to take kids to school and wouldn't ya know it......now the "oil" light is on and staying on. I checked the in dash diagnostics and am getting code "P0522" which is oil pressure Switch/sensor circuit voltage low, and I am sure once I look into that, it probably runs to the PCM as well! :(
So I call the service manager...he says...did you check the engine oil level....I said "you just changed the oil yesterday...why should I have to check the level if you did your job properly" but yes I did check and its fine. he said maybe it is the sending unit malfunctioning.
I even told the owner of the dealership, yesterday, "Jim Guardhouse" in Owen Sound, Ontario that if this were a "lease" I would just drop off the keys and walk away....problem is I paid cash and now I am the proud owner of a LEMON!!!
I just wish I had of looked into service issues on these vans before I bought one. I would have bought a Montana or Odyssey instead.
That is why I am enjoying this forum. I know it is too late now, but hopefully other perspective buyers will see all these problems that people are having, compare them to other car makers, and make their decisions based on that!!!! And don't get me wrong, I know that most of the problems with this vehicle are not expensive fixes,(under $500 each) but there have been far too many in under 2 years, all dealing with one main problem....electrical. And the $$ are adding up!!!!!
jasonsteele
12-31-2006, 12:09 PM
Well Chapter 6 of the Caravan Story!
So I left off with electrical problems back in June....
Four bill payment reminders from the dealer and 6 months later, this van is still not right. They never did fix it correctly, hence the unpaid bill.
I complained of tranny problems, they said nothing was wrong...well 2 months ago, while pulling out of my driveway, the tranny would not engage right away...then after a few seconds it went into drive. Did that twice in 2 days. It constantly clunks into gear while pulling away from a stop. The other day, my "air bag" light came on twice while driving down the highway. Stays on for awhile then shuts off. Hasn't done that since! I guess it's time to go back to "JIM GUARDHOUSE, CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP" and get some more answers(ya right) and another high labour bill!
Will keep you posted!
:banghead:
So I left off with electrical problems back in June....
Four bill payment reminders from the dealer and 6 months later, this van is still not right. They never did fix it correctly, hence the unpaid bill.
I complained of tranny problems, they said nothing was wrong...well 2 months ago, while pulling out of my driveway, the tranny would not engage right away...then after a few seconds it went into drive. Did that twice in 2 days. It constantly clunks into gear while pulling away from a stop. The other day, my "air bag" light came on twice while driving down the highway. Stays on for awhile then shuts off. Hasn't done that since! I guess it's time to go back to "JIM GUARDHOUSE, CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP" and get some more answers(ya right) and another high labour bill!
Will keep you posted!
:banghead:
cardboardpimp420
12-31-2006, 02:51 PM
i had a fuel pump wiring problem once...i just wired the fuel pump to the cigarette lighter, problem solved
Stretch58
12-31-2006, 03:31 PM
Well Chapter 6 of the Caravan Story!
So I left off with electrical problems back in June....
Four bill payment reminders from the dealer and 6 months later, this van is still not right. They never did fix it correctly, hence the unpaid bill.
I complained of tranny problems, they said nothing was wrong...well 2 months ago, while pulling out of my driveway, the tranny would not engage right away...then after a few seconds it went into drive. Did that twice in 2 days. It constantly clunks into gear while pulling away from a stop. The other day, my "air bag" light came on twice while driving down the highway. Stays on for awhile then shuts off. Hasn't done that since! I guess it's time to go back to "JIM GUARDHOUSE, CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP" and get some more answers(ya right) and another high labour bill!
Will keep you posted!
:banghead:
Sounds like you have had your share of problems with that one. If you have not done it, it would be a good idea to get the trannie fluid changed and get it refilled with new Mopar fluid. If the trannie is going to act up, cold weather is a good time for it to do it. Same goes for bad connections, cold temps can cause marginal connections to open up.
The story you had about the tech bypassing the bad wire with a good one reminds me of a guy on my AF outfit that seemed to have good luck fixing wiring problems on bombers. Turned out that if he could not find where a signal went missing, he would just patch in a new wire from someplace. We had to go back and look into every repair he had made for the previous 2 years and redo many of them.
So I left off with electrical problems back in June....
Four bill payment reminders from the dealer and 6 months later, this van is still not right. They never did fix it correctly, hence the unpaid bill.
I complained of tranny problems, they said nothing was wrong...well 2 months ago, while pulling out of my driveway, the tranny would not engage right away...then after a few seconds it went into drive. Did that twice in 2 days. It constantly clunks into gear while pulling away from a stop. The other day, my "air bag" light came on twice while driving down the highway. Stays on for awhile then shuts off. Hasn't done that since! I guess it's time to go back to "JIM GUARDHOUSE, CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP" and get some more answers(ya right) and another high labour bill!
Will keep you posted!
:banghead:
Sounds like you have had your share of problems with that one. If you have not done it, it would be a good idea to get the trannie fluid changed and get it refilled with new Mopar fluid. If the trannie is going to act up, cold weather is a good time for it to do it. Same goes for bad connections, cold temps can cause marginal connections to open up.
The story you had about the tech bypassing the bad wire with a good one reminds me of a guy on my AF outfit that seemed to have good luck fixing wiring problems on bombers. Turned out that if he could not find where a signal went missing, he would just patch in a new wire from someplace. We had to go back and look into every repair he had made for the previous 2 years and redo many of them.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025