Will not start

RAFIKL

MEMBER
2003 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

I have 2003 Dodge Caravan with 80000 miles.I recently changed the starter, new battery and changed new spark plugs but the other day it completely went dead, nothing happens when I turn on the iginition, completely dead.
Could it be the PCM I heard about.
Can someone please shed some light on this urgently?

7 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Hi,

It sounds like you have a loose or dirty battery cable. Here is a guide to help you see what I am talking about and how to fix it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers

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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

RAFIKL

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4 POSTS

No nothing lights up or flashes. Yesterday at first my radio and the heating fan would stay on when I installed a new battery even after I took out the key from the ignition but this morning nothing at all.

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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

If zero dash lights, when you turn on the key, no crank and your sure the battery has a full charge and the connections are good. Check fuse 23-- 10 amp in the integrated power module, under the hood, use a test lite on the fuse circuit, should be hot all the time.

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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

RAFIKL

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I am not sure how to check the fuse but I know that when the battery gets a boost it starts up but after a short while the battery gets all drained out and it does not start up again, something is draining out the battery in the vehicle.

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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Use a digital multimeter, leads across the battery posts, everything turned off, A fully charged battery is around 12.6 volts. Start the vehicle, take the reading again, is should be around a volt higher, if it is, the charging system is working.

Check the vehicle in the dark, interior--glove box-- under the hood-- in the trunk, for any lite that may stay on all the time and cause battery drain. You can check amp draw for the battery, if drain is excessive, you can pull fuses one at a time till drain goes away or returns to normal. The last fuse that you pulled, that corrected the problem, is the problem circuit.

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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

RAFIKL

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Took it to my dealer the other day and he installed a new relay in the IPM box but the car only lasted about 24 hours before it went kaput again on the highway. First the oil light on the dashboard lit and then the engine just shut off. I waited about fifteen to twenty minutes and it started again but shut off again about two kms down the road. I checked the oil and it was not lacking any, I also heard a clicking sound coming from the IPM box for a short while when I opened the hood. After that it would crank but would not start. Towed it back to my dealer again and they replaced a positive battery cable and now the car works great.

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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

JDL