Crank no start

Tiny
WILLT1963
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Car was parked for over a year. Put in new battery. Engine started with no problems. I went to work in different car. Did not remember to turn car off. 2 weeks it sat with key in the ignition before I remembered! Put in gas charged battery. Engine cranks but will not start. Pump primes when ignition switched on. Tachometer at approximately 500 RPMs while cranking. Spray starter fluid into throttle body and engine starts but will not continue running. Sounds great when this happens. From this I conclude: 1. Fuel pump turns on. 2. Engine has good spark. 3. Cam sensor is picking up rotation. 4. Crank position sensor is good. 5. Car is not getting fuel. Swapped ASD relay and Fuel Pump Relay with new to rule them out. No effect. How do I check if fuel is getting to the injector rail? How do I check fuel pressure? Is there codes for that I have OBD2 scanner?
Thursday, August 12th, 2021 AT 7:37 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

As the engine ran out of fuel the pump could have picked up debris from the bottom of the tank and clogged the system. If the fuel pump strainer picks up debris it will stop or limit fuel from passing through the pump.

This vehicle should have 58 PSI (+/- 5 PSI) of fuel pressure.

Here is a helpful video of how to check fuel pressure:

https://youtu.be/aITQclp7zIE

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I have attached the step by step instructions of the fuel delivery check and fuel pressure leak down check. That way you will have enough info to go by.

Please let me know of any questions.

Thank you.
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Thursday, August 12th, 2021 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
WILLT1963
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you. Looking to not have to drop tank. I will look at info you provided and get back as soon as I have.
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Thursday, August 12th, 2021 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Sounds good. Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, August 12th, 2021 AT 8:40 AM
Tiny
WILLT1963
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
With the limited time I am having I was only able to check one more thing. I pulled the fuel line off the injector rail right below the throttle body. I put it into a clear bottle to be able to see it "key on pump prime" only gives a trickle of fuel when the key is turned with no improvement while cranking. Only getting a trickle of fuel. That tells me a bunch. Dropping the tank on Saturday morning (well that's the plan anyway).
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Well, let me know if you come across anything. Dropping the fuel tank is not the best way to spend a Saturday.
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
WILLT1963
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Changed the fuel pump cleaned it out real good. Old pump looked ok but we knew it was not. Primed it 2 times. 3rd turn of key cranked and started. Found a brass disk in tank. What is that!
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Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
WILLT1963
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Picture added for size comparison. Now comes new rotors and pads. Inspection and registration.
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Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 10:20 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
That brass fitting is puzzling. There should not be anything in the tank that will need a brass fitting.
Glad you got the fuel pump done.
It appears that you have more fun stuff coming up. Haha.
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Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
WILLT1963
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
It never ends! I have 3 children with driver's licenses.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Well that is life! Haha
Let us know should you have any questions in the future.
Thank you.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 AT 8:00 AM

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