1989 Dodge Caravan electrical or fuel

Tiny
BLUEHAPP
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
The starter turns over and fires off but dies when the key returns to the run position.
I have a dodge caravan 89 2.5L Canada made.
It’s like the old ballast resistor open on the older cars but I can’t seem to see any sign of it in the Chilton’s. I think it went out in the 85 era.
I’ve gone thru the distributor, plugs, fuses everything gets power. Tailgate, fan operating show that the key sw is working. There is a device in the drawings that may be a sw on the transaxle but I can’t find where to jump it out. Any clues?
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 1:15 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, did you check for trouble codes? Anything? You should be able to check for mil codes by cycling the ignition switch, you turn the key till dash lites come on, no further. Cycle the key, on--off, on--off, on, then the mil starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
BLUEHAPP
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Yes I got 12, 42, 55
which are "mem stby pwr lost"
"ASD Relay ckt"
"end of message"
I checked the ASD relay coil and contacts relay operates but what is the sequence I need?
Energized in start and run?
Energized in run only?
Energized in start only?
The computer turns it on.
How do I find out why it is operating the ASD as it is?
Do I need a DRB2 tester?
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
My info for the code 42 says the computer thinks there is a short or open circuit at the asd relay. Dark blue is ignition feed to coil side of relay, it comes from the computer. Dark blue with yellow tracer is ground for coil side of relay. Red wire is battery voltage for load side of relay, probably hot all the time. Dark green wire with black tracer, carries voltage to everything the asd relay controls. You may need to take wiring circuits loose on both ends and do continuity test?

I didn't think to look if you had heated 02 sensor. I have heard of faulty 02 heater circuit causing a problem, if it got voltage from the asd relay.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
BLUEHAPP
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The asd relay stays on in the key sw run position. Even though the engine fires in the key sw start position it dies in going to run. I disconnected the 02 sensor heater. Same thing. I was told you can disconnect it and still operate the car.
I have checked the nutera/reverse sw, the oil pressure sw, the fuse links, the plugs, rotor cap. Hall points, replaced the coil, fuel filter, got plenty of fuel pressure. The injector is my next foe. I will put a meter on it and watch the voltage, open ckt, at the plug in start and run. The computer seems to have control over it as the asd relay. Then the computer plugs will be taken apart and inspected.
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/170934_dodge_caravan_4_cylinder_1.jpg



Yes, with key on, there will be voltage to the load side of asd relay, and the coil side of relay. The computer controls the ground side of relay coil. If no ground, the relay won't energize, even if there is voltage.
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
BLUEHAPP
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The dual electronic module is not sending a signal to the injector in the key run position. After having the battery disconnected for about an hour, the diagnostic trouble code was 12- (memory standby power lost). This was after trying to crank with injector firing on key start only. Now i'm looking for power and ground continuity to the two electronic modules. Tomorrow.
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
BLUEHAPP
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I went to pull a part and got a eng control module for 12 bucks.
Went home trying to figure the compatablity from 1988 to my 1989, I ran across the MAP sensor test. The author said the MAP sensor will act like a failing fuel pump. The car will try to start but will die like the fuel pump is bad. The test is simply to unplug it. The car will run ruff but not die after starting. I did this and went to pull a part and got two for 3 dollars. Problem solved. When I unplugged the dang thing I got a code 14. If I would have known the MAP sensor acts like this I could have saved a lota time. Thanks for your input anyway. John.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010 AT 12:08 AM

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