caravan won't start

I have a caravan 3.3 engine that had the battery light start comming on. We had determined that the alternator was not charging the battery.(only getting 12v when van was running) Had to jump the van two times to get it running for a little while just to get it home. Removed the battery connectors, swapped out the alternator then reconnected battery. Jumped the battery to get it started and the engine cranks but won't start. Removed and checked my work (if it worked when you started, then it must be something you have done!) but can't see anything wrong. Did I run the battery too low? did the auto-shut off trip! I don't hear the fuel pump running(high pitch squeel). Help! I'm lost. My wife is freaking out without a car and 5 days until christmas.

Any help would be appreicited. Thanks

Dont know much about it but will try.

Have you checked your fuses? Both inside and outside? I will do a search real quick and post back.......

You do need to have a fully charged battery after replacing the alt. or you could damage the alt. I checked the tag off my new alt and it says the same. Auto stores can charge your battery for you, have it rechecked after it's charged to see if its bad, and check the alt to to make sure it wasnt damaged, maybe damage to the BCM too. Am still looking into it, will post back.

Did you cycle the ignition on, off, on, off, on for fault code?( count flashing "check engine"). My '93 Voyager has a similar problem but won't start when jumped. My code is 13, no change in MAP sensor from start to run?

fuseable link blown maybe?

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I'll get back out there in the morning. I have put a charger on the battery and it's charged up again. And to check the code I just count how many times the "check engine" light flashes? I have replaced belts and alternators befor many times. This should have been a half hour job. It's driving me nuts!!!!!

OK. . . . all of the trouble shooting test seem to be testing alright. Fuel pump is kicking on and can even see gas on the spark plugs. Grounded plugs to frame to see pretty blue sparks. lets see....get gas.....get spark....no start....ALL I DID WAS REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE IT WASEN'T CHARGING THE BATTERY BACK UP!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE F***. I kicked the darn thing but all that happened was my foot hurts now.

OK. . . . all of the trouble shooting test seem to be testing alright. Fuel pump is kicking on and can even see gas on the spark plugs. Grounded plugs to frame to see pretty blue sparks. lets see....get gas.....get spark....no start....ALL I DID WAS REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE IT WASEN'T CHARGING THE BATTERY BACK UP!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE F***. I kicked the darn thing but all that happened was my foot hurts now.

The voltage regulator is inside the main PCM. You probably blew up your main computer, another $800 please.......

Thanks bernard!.........Not what I want to hear. I was starting to think that too, but it seems like every time I thought it was the computer, it never was. The "recycled parts" store AKA junkyard loves me.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=5560295

Read what happened to Chrysler1924's van when he changed his own alternator.

I was just talking to a friend today that said that the voltage regulator could be in the alternator......Is that true? Anyone? If so that could be my problem. because I did install a "used" alternator....That would make more sense that I can't get it to start "AFTER" I installed the alternator........ What do ya think?

This sounds stupid, but did you reverse jumpstart the van?

Ahhhhhh?................... Reverse jumpstart? Not sure what you mean. I did jump start it 3 times trying to get it home. That's how I knew it was the alternator. It just wasen't charging back up. I even tried to jumpstart it after I installed the "latest suspect" alternator.that's when it wouldn't start. I can't swap the old alternator back, to see it I could recreate original problem, because they wanted it in trade(core).

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Sent to Dodge Experts December 27 7:27 p.m. I have a 1998 dodge caravan 3.3L that started showing a battery light. It died in a parking lot. Jumped it to get it going to get it home (to replace alternator). Stopped twice to jump after locks started clicking,radio cuts off and display started flashing. got it home. Replaced alternator (from junkyard). van won't start. turns over. fuel pump turns on. gas and pressure at fuel line check valve. pulled spark plug and found I could see and smell gas on spark plug. held plug to block to check for spark. got spark. performed "failure-to-start" test and "secondary spark" test per autozone's diagnosis and testing page of their website. still nothing "cranks and cranks" and no start.

Optional Information:
1998 Dodge caravan 3.3



copierfixerguy (http://dodge.justanswer.com/profile.aspx?PF=7757695&FID=25) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions http://dodge.justanswer.com/img/spacer.gif http://dodge.justanswer.com/forum_images/A_white.gif Answer
December 27 7:35 p.m. (8 minutes and 39 seconds later) http://dodge.justanswer.com/img/button_big_orange_addbonus.jpg (http://dodge.justanswer.com/secure-expertask/add_bonus_dialog.aspx?TID=4187049)ACCEPTED http://dodge.justanswer.com/forum_images/check_answer.gif
Hi, and welcome to Just Answer!
When the system voltage get's very low, as in your case, it can cause havoc with the fuel system. I suspect that your van is very loaded up.
A couple of things could have happend, if there was enough excess fuel floating around in there, it may have washed the cylinder walls down, resulting in low compression.
It's also possible that the computer has ramped the fuel delivery up so much that it floods out almost as soon as you start cranking. (as you crank the controller gradually increases fuel delivery in attempt to get the car started).
The first thing I would try is remove the fuel pump relay from the box under the hood, hold the throttle wide open, and crank on it in 10 or 15 second bursts (give the starter 30 seconds or so to cool down between cranks). After a few sessions of this it may clear the engine enough to start.. if it does start let it run until it quits, and can't be restarted before putting the fuel pump relay back in. then unhook the battery for 5 minutes before attempting to start it again (to reset the controller).
If that fails to get the van started, reply back and we can continue from there.
Thanks,
Leo


Leo (http://dodge.justanswer.com/profile.aspx?PF=6262442&FID=25) (Offline) -- Auto Service Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 354 Dodge Accepts (http://dodge.justanswer.com/ratings.aspx?PF=6262442&FID=25)
2006 Dodge,Jeep,Chrysler ASE master technician of the yearhttp://dodge.justanswer.com/img/awards/cust_awa_yellow.gif (javascript: open_help_window('/help/expert_awards_help.aspx?type=customer'))http://dodge.justanswer.com/img/spacer.gif http://dodge.justanswer.com/forum_images/Q_white.gif Your Reply to Leo
Sent December 27 7:45 p.m. (9 minutes and 31 seconds later) that sounds possible. I will give it a try. I have been told that it could be the BCM. I just can't believe that I have had so much trouble just replacing an alternator. I have done it many time on other types of vehicles. Here I thought it would be a 30 minute job.

copierfixerguy (http://dodge.justanswer.com/profile.aspx?PF=7757695) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questionshttp://dodge.justanswer.com/img/spacer.gif http://dodge.justanswer.com/forum_images/A_white.gif Info Request
December 27 7:49 p.m. (4 minutes and 5 seconds later) http://dodge.justanswer.com/img/buttons/reply_off.gif (http://dodge.justanswer.com/questions/zwt1-1998-dodge-caravan?Reply=1&PID=4187137#Reply)
What is this? (javascript: open_help_window('/help/a_asp_help.aspx?type=inforequest')) Hi,
Thank you for accepting my answer, I appreciate it.
I've had good success clearing out a flooded car using that procedure before, and I think it's the best place to start.
Give it a try, let me know how it goes, and we can take it from there. This information request should hold the question open.
I've got to step out of the house and run an errand, so please don't think I'm ignoring you, I should be back on by 9:00 eastern time or so.
Leo


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Sent December 29 1:18 p.m. (1 day and 17 hours later) Leo...... My wife me to find out where you live so I can come and kiss your feet. I went and got another alternator because the (replacement one) checked out at autozone to be putting out 12 volts just like original one. I put it in unplugged the fuel pump relay and tried to start the van. It backfired once then nothing. I unhooked the battery and waited. hooked everything back up, and nothing. Then I realized that I forgot to push the throttle all of the way. So I redid everything "exactly" the way you said to do it. When I tried it the next time it started up. I had to rev the engine and it was running rough. I just the it run with my foot on the throttle for a while and it started to run smooth. It's idling in the driveway right now.......Thank you for your help.

I just wanted everybody to know what fixed my van....Just in case it happens to them........Sorry about all of my ranting......... But........I WIN!

It cost me $9.00 but it was well worth it.