Not starting

Tiny
DOMINICK DYMOND
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
My van is not starting. I have replace the coolant, oil, spark plugs and fuel filter. It will try to start when I use starting fluid but will not stay running. I was thinking it might need a fuel pump, but I do not know. Could you help?
Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 AT 10:24 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
First check if you really do have spark. If you do not, the most common suspect is the Hall Effect pickup assembly in the distributor. That is a disc right under the rotor, and is real easy to replace. When that fails, you will not have injector pulses either.

The next step is to read and record any diagnostic fault codes. Chrysler made doing that yourself much easier than any other manufacturer. Cycle the ignition switch from "off" to "run" three times within five seconds. Leave it in "run", then count the flashes of the check engine light. Here is a link to a more in-depth description:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/retrieve-trouble-codes-for-chrysler-dodge-plymouth-odb1-1995-and-earlier-car-mini-van-and-light-trucks
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Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 AT 5:50 PM

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