Replaced timing belt on Dodge Caravan, now it won't start.

Tiny
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  • CHRYSLER VAN
I replaced the timing belt on 97 Dodge caravan, now it won't start. While changing the belt, I didn't rotate either the cam shafts or crankshaft. I put the new timing belt on and tried to start the caravan. It fires, and sputters, but doesn't run. It sounds like the timing is off. What do you think I should do? Thanks
Saturday, January 14th, 2006 AT 1:56 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
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I forgot to mention that I am trying to start it without putting all the accessories back on. I have the timing belt on, and the hoses all connected, but haven't put the sepentine belt on to the alternator. This way I can check for leaks before I have to dissassemble everything. Will it start without the alternator?
Thanks
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Saturday, January 14th, 2006 AT 2:02 PM
Tiny
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Did you make sure the timing marks were lined up between the crank and cam before putting the belt on?
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Saturday, January 14th, 2006 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
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Van still won't start only sputters. I have taken the timing belt off again. This time when I put it on I pulled it over the front cam pulley counter clockwise. Each time I do that and then put the spring on the tensioner, it pulls the cam pulley a slight degree counterclockwise or clockwise depending on where the slack in the belt is. I am guessing that the timing is off, since the car sputters and tries to start, but isn't running on all cylinders. It was running fine when I took it apart to fix the leak in the water pump. I put a new timing belt on while I was in there. I did put the serpentine blet on this time when I tried to start it, yet it still just sputters.
Suggestions are welcomed. The distributor on this model appears not to turn to adjust the timing.
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Saturday, January 14th, 2006 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
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The problem wa that the timing marks were not lined up right. One of th ecams had jumped when I put the tensioner spring on the timing belt. Darn thing wanted to turn 1/4 turn with the lightest nudge. I finally put the blet on that cam and turned it to the mark, then I put the belt on the other cam and crankshaft. Car runs fine now. Thanks
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Monday, January 16th, 2006 AT 7:52 PM

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