Engine will not turnover

Tiny
JERRY 9947
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
Six cylinder front wheel drive automatic 98,000 miles.

Battery good, ignition good, starter good, all fuses and relays good. If I jump the starter relay contacts the engine cranks, but still will not start. After further checking I do not have a ground path to starter relay fuel pump relay and coil packs I think it may be computer. The Haynes book says the PCM module could cause this problem and states the module is located behind the driver side bumper the module there is for transmission so where do I go from here? I know electronics radio and TV repair for thirty years and thirty five years at Lockheed Martin Space Shuttle Electronics, but I do not have much Dodge back ground. I drive a Chevrolet truck because it is dependable. Wife likes her Caravan good when running not too good right now. Thanks, Jerry
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 5:29 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Is the security light flashing? if so I would try resetting the security system here is a guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

If not I would check the neutral safety switch or starter relay. Here are guides and diagrams to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-neutral-safety-switch-works

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 4:03 AM
Tiny
JERRY 9947
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  • 4 POSTS
It does not have grounds to the relay coils to latch relay contacts that was my guess that the computer went out. Thanks, I did not have a schematic of the computer but using logic that is what I came up with! The other part of the question was which one was it? Another site tells me in my van there are two computers, one behind the driver headlight and one behind the driver side bumper. My guess it is the one behind the head light. Thanks, Jerry
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 5:47 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Below is for the transmission control module the main computer for both the transmission/engine so you can see the location (below)
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
JERRY 9947
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  • 4 POSTS
My van has two modules I took both out 1) one was behind the bumper on the driver side. 2) the other was in front of the battery on the driver side. Your diagram is for an inline six cylinder engine this one is a trans-axle side ways engine. I have the part numbers for both modules. The one in front of battery is #472521aab the one behind the bumper is 4727721ae. I know of no Caravan with a straight inline engine. I took both modules to Autozone who advertises they check modules, but they do not do it!
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It is not an inline engine it is a 3.3L/3.8 Transverse engine.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_transverse_engine_1.jpg

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
JERRY 9947
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  • 4 POSTS
Sorry you are right v6 not straight six. Too many cars here to keep up with but only one Dodge. I got the right module location it was the one in front of the battery not the one behind the bumper that's the transmission module Haynes manual was incorrect as to where the PCM module is. However, the Dodge dealer said there were two different late and early starting 2003 the early model used one module and later went to two modules. Thanks for all your help! This was a learning experience for everyone involved. I will order module from internet tonight $199.00 with lifetime warranty in stock and includes shipping. Dealer did not have it ten to fifteen working days to get it. No brainer the net has it and I will have it in three days not weeks. I will post to let you know if that cures the problem I think together we agree it has to be the module. Jerry

Updated 3/5/09

It was the PCM module. I replaced it with the $199.00 from the web came pre-programmed ready to plug in. That is what I did. Cured all problems plug and
play the code reader did not show a code or fault that was what I could not
understand. But all the electrical checks pointed to the PCM module so I went
with logic; replaced the PCM module it will fix it! Removed the two bolts
from top bracket and the three bolts that hold the headlight assembly and
remove headlight assembly for access to the one bottom bolt for the module
unplug the two cables replace module and reinstall every thing in reverse.
It is a done deal in fifteen minutes in the dark. Jerry
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
KENNYKBE
  • MEMBER
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Jerry,

I had this problem as well I replaced the starter relay and everything worked great! Thanks for the guides.

Thanks, Ken
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
ATELLEZ916
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 180,000 MILES
I have a 3.3 liter engine it has 180,000 miles. It went off on me running it starter jerking on me running it went off and then I started again and it ran for two miles and then it went off again. Today I turned it on and it ran for five minutes then it went off again. Now it will not crank up. The engine is working, but the lights and etc, work but I cannot turn the engine on. I installed a new battery and alternator. The starter has power but it will not turn on. Can you tell me what is wrong with it?
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Could be ignition switch or neutral safety switch.

Beyond that, it sounds like you have another issue. Start with a fuel pressure test, compression and spark.

Roy
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ED ATKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 52,000 MILES
Six cylinder front wheel drive automatic 52,000 miles.

Parked in garage working fine, would not crank next morning. Battery okay, ignition sending power to relay. Will crank if jump relay, but will not star.T check engine light not on. With key will not cycle. Battery drained out after setting a day.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Does the vehicle have a factory alarm/security system? Also, have you checked to see if there is a draw on the battery or if it is just bad? Here is a how to for checking for a draw:

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLBELL33
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
Six cylinder two wheel drive automatic.

When I turn the key to start it all the lights come on, but it will not start. There is no clicking noise or any noise at all. The battery is good and the starter is good. But it will start sometimes. Then sometimes it will not. It does not start more than it does start. Do you have any suggestions on where to start troubleshooting first?
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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No crank at all/nothing.

Could be a blown fusible link the starter, starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch/transmission position switch and ignition switch, assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESCS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,200 MILES
Six cylinder front wheel drive automatic 100,200 miles.

My van now has a new starter attempting to solve this problem, but the problem remains. It still will not turnover at all sometimes, usually it will start cold but once warm and shut off for an hour or so it will not turnover.

The last time it sat for three days never once turning over, then suddenly it started up and runs fine.

I switched out a relay under the hood still the same thing.

Once it starts it runs fine for hours until you shut it off then it often will not turnover at times again.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

You will have to check for power at the starter solenoid when it will not start, and if okay you may have a faulty new starter. If no power check back down the line to relay and relay power supply. Check battery terminals are clean and tight, and all earths are okay. Start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESCS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I measured the the volts at the big cable on the solenoid (not the plug in cable), it shows 26 volts without turning the ignition switch.

I replaced out two of the relays that pertain to the starter, still the same result.

Do I need ot measure the plug in wire to the solenoid?

It is hard to get a reading on it.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi there,

You will need to make sure you are getting voltage at the solenoid wire when key on crank. If okay starter will be faulty.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESCS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Drats, I measured AC instead of DC voltage!

Okay I will measure the other wire. I need to make a small cut in the insulation to get my test probe on it.

Thanks for the reply, I will get back tomorrow with results.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESCS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No power to the solenoid is showing with the key switched to start.

I have swapped out the relays. Should I check ignition switch next?

None of the grounds appear to be corroded anywhere.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 56,000 MILES
It just quit. Will not crank by key. Fuel pump not kicking on. What could be problem?
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 4:54 PM (Merged)

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