1998 Dodge Van Odometer flashing

Tiny
ERS965
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE VAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,000 MILES
The van would start up and run fine first time of the day, then it would start fine but stall when put in gear, unless I kept the engine revved up. The other day after driving it 30 miles round trip it would not start at all, no spark or power to the injectors, a friend put a "noid?' On it, but it will turn over. I replaced the ECM still nothing, then I replaced the crankshaft position sensor, I know kind of backward way of going about it, nonetheless, still won't start and now the odometer is flashing on and off. Oh and there is a big hole where I put my head through the wall.
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 7:14 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Can't help with the wall ventilation, but I'll try with the no-start.

Turn the ignition switch to "run", to "off", to "run", to "off", to "run" within five seconds, and leave it there. If the starter engages, even for a second, turn the ignition switch off, wait a few seconds, then start over. You will either see diagnostic fault codes displayed in the odometer readout or the Check Engine light will flash a series of two-digit codes. Have your pen and paper ready.

If the Check Engine light starts flashing, count the flashes, then there will be a short pause, then the second digit will be flashed. After a longer pause, the next code will be flashed the same way. Some vehicles start with code 12. You can disregard that one. It just means the ignition switch was turned off. The last code will be 55. That means it's the end of the message.

Holler back with those codes. They will lead us to the circuit or system with the problem, not necessarily the bad part.

Caradiodoc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
ERS965
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I tried several times and all I get is a flashing odometer. It just flashes in a steady, constant manner, there is no pause nor does it stop. The check engine light flashes on when I finally leave it in the run position, but then goes off as do the other warning lights and never comes back on. After about 4 or 5 minutes the ABS and brake warning lights come back on as does the low fuel indicator, I just put 15 gallons in the tank before it quit on me though. So, back to square one a flashing odometer is the only clue I have right now.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Your description suggests there are two, probably related problems. The easiest one to diagnose would be the lack of voltage to the injectors, but are you aware the voltage will only be there during engne cranking?

Voltage to the injectors, coil, alternator field, fuel pump or pump relay, and oxygen sensor heaters comes from the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay. The Engine Computer turns that relay on for one second after you turn the ignition switch to "run", then it turns it off until it sees engine rotation, (cranking or running).

If the noid light flashed during cranking, the ASD relay is turning on. That would leave out the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors.

Caradiodoc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
ERS965
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Turns out the ASR is on the fuel pump fuse, it had burned out, the fuse, and I guess that shuts down everything. So, it ended up costing &360.00 to find out it was a ten cent fuse. Expensive lesson.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Happy to hear it's fixed, but not happy about the cost. Did they tell you what caused the fuse to pop? 360 bucks suggests they spent around four hours on it. I hope it didn't take that long to find just a fuse.

Caradiodoc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
ERS965
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The expense was buying the ECM and the camshaft position sensor. If I would have looked at the fuse first I would not have bought them. Who would have thought the fuel pump fuse had anything to do with spark or injectors. Well I know now. As far as what would make it pop in the first place I have no idea.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, March 18th, 2010 AT 8:52 AM
Tiny
2 LINSEY
  • MECHANIC
  • 287 POSTS
Thank you for using 2CarPros. Com. We appreciate your donation and look forward to helping you in the future.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 19th, 2010 AT 11:55 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Instrument Cluster Gauge Odometer Content

Odometer
GUIDE
Odometer
The odometer is equipped with a trip meter call a trip odometer that allows the user to check the mileage of any particular distance separate from the main odometer. The...
VIEW MORE