Will crank one time and try to start, afterwards it refuses to crank at all?

Tiny
WOODJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,980 MILES
Flex fuel.
One crank no start

• Jumpering the starter relay will crank the engine; relay tests fine but also swapped with front blower relay(that works) anyway. When key is on and starter forced to crank, there is good spark at plugs.
• Changed fuel filter and new fuel pump; fuel rail has correct fuel pressure.
• Verified engine compression on all 6 cylinders
• Have a new pcm programmed to vin number.
• Verified battery has 12.6 volts and passed load test. No corrosion found
• PCM has only 2 plugs (pins 1-40) & (pins 41-80)

• vehicle will crank one time and try to start; afterward it refuses to crank at all; lights bright, fuel pump primes, relays click, but no crank. Can swap PCM to original and have the same results. Usually have to wait an hour for something to clear in either PCM while disconnected and then install, resulting in ONE crank and then nothing.

I've run out of things to test.
Friday, July 21st, 2023 AT 7:12 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It seems like you've covered a lot of potential causes

Ignition Switch:

Neutral Safety Switch (NSS):

Security System:

Wiring and Grounds:

Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) and Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP):

PCM Grounds and Power Supply:

Anti-Theft System Reset:
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Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
WOODJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Will single start in either park or neutral. Never had a chip on keys, security is in the PCM, if any. No corrosion found anywhere. Would like to find a schematic of pins for the PCM for further testing. Will test and verify CMP and CKP; will also perform a voltage drop test and post my results.
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Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Sure, here are the PCM wiring diagrams and a guide to help you with the testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.
Images (Click to make bigger)
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Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Did you find anything? Did the problem get fixed? If so what was it?
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Saturday, April 19th, 2025 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
WOODJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Issue has still not been fixed. Was so frustrated with this that I have parked it to the side for past 3 months gathering dust. Now that the weather is getting nice, I will be working on it some more.
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Monday, April 21st, 2025 AT 7:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Let me know so we can continue.
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Monday, April 21st, 2025 AT 10:41 AM

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