96 caravan help

[momoftwins]

My caravan won't start...turn the key and it turns over, but never actually fires and starts. Friend of hubby's said do something with turning the key, check engine light will do some sort of flashing thing...count the flashes and its the diagnostic code. Am not sure if that is correct info to begin with, but hubby also cannot find his book to my van. Anybody out there got some useful advice/ideas? All are appreciated and thanks to you all in advance!

[fperezal]

OK. If you turn the ign. key to "on" 3 times in a row (leave it on the 3rd time), you will enter the engine computer codes. The engine light will flash in pair, pause, pair...IE. 3 flashes, pause, 2 flashes, pause = 32 code. there is a longer pause between code pairs. The first code is always 12 and the last code is usually 55. 12=Welcome 55=bye basicly. Now, remember, it takes fuel, spark and air to start an engine. Check for spark going to any sparkplug by removing the wire and pointing the wire to any engine groud while somebody try to start the engine (be careful). If you have spark, I bet you is the fuel. Look for fuel going to the engine. Sometimes disconnecting the main fuel feed line going to the engine and looking for fuel to come out will do (be careful or you my end up on fire). A fuel pressure tester is the way to go (and safest). If you are over 120,000 miles, your fuel pump should be a suspect as well as the timing belt. If you open the oil cap, and look inside while somebody turns the engine, the stuff in there should move, if it does not...your timing belt is broke. most auto parts will tell yu what computer codes mean.