1998 will not start

[steamplant]

Hi all I have a 1998 villager 147,000 miles on it. This is the first real problem I have ever had with this van. The van will not start, the fuel pump is not turning on. I have the haynes manual and followed the troubleshooting procedure.

I am not getting 12v to the fuel pump. I do have 12 volts at the fuel pump relay connection, changed the relay still no good. I have traced it down to the fact that the PCM is supposed to ground the primary side of the fuel pump relay connection initially for 5 seconds, thereby allowing the fuel pump relay to close and provide power to the fuel pump, the PCM will maintain this ground unless it loses the signal from the cam positioning sensor.

My problem is that the PCM is not providing this ground for the initial start. I put 12 volts to the fuel pump directly, it runs fine. Does that mean my computer is "fried", has anyone ever heard of something like this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Should I jump the relay and see if it will start, or will that damage something.

[IH8SPM]

Did you check to see if your ground wire was broken or dirty?

[steamplant]

The battery ground is fine, which ground are you refering to? The PCM ground? Mounted directly above the fuse panel under the dash is a small data communication link, this is different from the com link for the main computer, do you have any idea what it is for? I guess my next step will be to pull the codes? thanks

[IH8SPM]

If your check engine light is not on there will be no codes to read. You will need the dealer com link reader or if you can do it manually then that would tell you exactly what it is. I think you lost a connection and not a computer. Always start with fixable free trouble shooting til you bang your head on the car then move on to the cheapest possible part and so forth. If you send the current to pump will it start? Have you checked the inhibitor fuse?

[steamplant]

Yes I disconnected the connection at the fuel pump and put 12 volts directly to it, the fuel pump started right up. I then checked continuity on both the postive and negative wiring from the relay connection to the fuel pump connector, those wires are fine.

I am not getting the ground on the primary side of the relay, this is controlled by the PCM and it will allow the fuel pump to startup.

I was thinking of just jumping the relay and trying to start the van, but will this damage anything?

how can I reset my PCM?, I check all fuses both inside the engine compartment and at the fuse panel under the dash all okay.

I didn't see a fuse called "inhibitor" where is it located. Thank you for the help.

[steamplant]

Update, problem resolved, thank sir for your timely response and help. Following your last post, I rechecked my fuses and found that the fuse #4 on the right side of the under dash fuse panel was not seated properly. This fuse is a 10 amp labeled "ENG CONT" it provides protection to engine emissions, evaporative emissions and the PCM (power control module).

I reseated it, turned the key on, now heard the fuel pump start, and then the van started right up. thanks again.

[IH8SPM]

Originally Posted by steamplant

Update, problem resolved, thank sir for your timely response and help. Following your last post, I rechecked my fuses and found that the fuse #4 on the right side of the under dash fuse panel was not seated properly. This fuse is a 10 amp labeled "ENG CONT" it provides protection to engine emissions, evaporative emissions and the PCM (power control module).

I reseated it, turned the key on, now heard the fuel pump start, and then the van started right up. thanks again.

This proves my point once again. This is a very reliable van with minimal problems. I also want to point out that you spent $00000000000000 on parts to get it to work because you took your time and asked someone for help. It might not always be this easy but it just might be.