Intermintent starting problem 98' Plymouth Grand Voyager

[klrmb]

Hi to all! I'm hoping someone can help me with this problem.
I have a 98' Plymouth Grand Voyager, that I've owned since 1999.
3 months ago, I started having this intermintent starting problem.
When this happens, its starts for 3-4 seconds, then dies. You can do
this 3-4 times, then nothing. When this happens, I have no "overhead"
numbers, except the temperature. Other than that, just the letters.
Everything else seems to work: lights, radio, power windows, etc.
It may be an hour, to the next morning at most, then it starts up like nothing happened. This will then occur 2-5 days later, with the same results. After these 2 occurances, we have 3 1/2 to 4 weeks before it
all starts again!!!!!!!!!! Very weird on the consistant timing.

We have had this at the dealership 3 times. Twice it was running, and they said it has to be "not running" to be thoroughly checked. They did get through 5 of the 9 modules, before it started again. They first told me that there was a short to the antitheft, but didn't know where, and then said there was a short to the battery, and didn't know where.
They've looked at wires, tore the dash apart, the overhead, etc.
They said they called their tech support line and they had no ideas.
I can't imagine that I have the only Grand Voyager this has happened to!!!!!!!!!!! They charged me a minimal amount for their time, and a tow, but after a $300 bill, I still have the problem, and am afraid to
go through this somewhere else again.....and again!!!!

If anyone has had this problem, please reply. I'd rather keep my van with 152,000 miles on it that runs great (when it's running most of the time) than take my chances on a used car to drive to work and back with. THANKS

[Maurice Martin]

I too have a 98 Dodge Grand Caravan that will not start after stalling 3 times. This has happened one other time about 2 months ago, but started after a few hours. At the present time the overhead console will show the temp, but nothing else. Over the past few months, the fuel gauge & Speedometer have gone to zero while driving for 2 to 3 minutes. This happens several times in a few days, then works ok for maybe a month, then returns. Any info would be appreciated.

[klrmb]

Maurice,

I'm glad to know that someone else has the same problem I do. The dealership acted like they've never come across this before with this type of vehicle.
Have you taken your van in to get looked at? If so,
what have they told you? We are thinking of taking it somewhere else, just afraid to get no result and a bill again. I will at least do some calling to other dealerships, and see if they may have some answers to this. In the meantime, maybe someone else has
conquered this puzzling annoying problem with their vehicle, and they will share their answer with us!!!

[Maurice Martin]

While driving the speedometer, tack & fuel gauge quit & go to 0 & Empty for a few seconds, then return to normal. This will happen for 2 to 3 days every 3 to 5 weeks. On 2 occasions the van started, then stalled and would not turn over. The first time it started after sitting for 4 hours. The second time. I checked all fuses, relays, battery connections, power at the starter main terminal. The Spedo, Tack, odometer, gear indicator & overhead console (except temp) were dead. After hot jumping the start terminal on the starter, everything seems to work again. Last night I spoke wih a local mechanic & he suggested that I have a ground problem under the left or right kick panel. There were no wires found under the left kick panel. We ar waiting for it to screw up again!

[pentabob]

Hi you guys,
looks like this may be the same issue, check out this post from only a few days ago, many of us having (or had) the same problem. the post title was "That Stupid Gauge Problem!", from there you will find some other posts on this site and others that pretty much describe your problem to the letter, fixed mine over a year ago, no problems since, the important part to read from the older posts is about hitting the dash on both sides of the message center, may save you or your family from getting stranded, not the final fix but again may prevent getting stranded, also will confirm the problem area

p. pettruzzi (spelling?) was the true finder of the problem and fortunetly passed the fix to the rest of us

best of luck,
bob
pentabob