QuestionQUESTION: Hi!
98 caravan 3.0 Liter Automatic
engine start and shut dowm immediatly (like it is running out of fuel)
I hear pump prime itself when I turn ign key, but do not seem to keep on pumping fuel.
every time I prime the pump by doing on off on and start. the engine run long enought to burn theh fuel and dye.
all fuse are ok
I interchange the relay under the hood with no succes.
Where should i look next.
I do not have a wiring diagram
Thanks for the answer.
Al
ANSWER: Hi Alain,
That is consistent with, but not necessarily diagnositc of, your having a vehicle theft security system, and that system was armed but then not properly disarmed. The behavior is exactly as you describe if that is the case: start, run for a couple of seconds, then the engine controller shuts off the spark and fuel pump. If you have such a system there would be a small light on the top of the dash that indicates by either a steady light or a flashing light or no light what is going on with it. The disarm process is done either by the door key (if you usually enter the locked vehicle via the driver door then in the future instead try to first enter by unlocking the passenger door) or by a programmed remote fob. So do this now: lock up the vehicle at the passenger door using the door key, then unlock it with the same key, then try to start the engine. If that works then you probably have a flaky wire between the driver door lock and the computer. If you don't have such an anti-theft system, then we will try some other things.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: no light that would indicate a vehicle theft security systems.
I tried as you specified to lock and enter the vehicle by the pass door.
no change in the status of the problem. I do not have a remote key entry in my possesion.
one more thing that may or may not be of importance.
the light on the rear window wiper switch and intermitent rear wiper switch are flashing. this may be from another problem?..
they were flashing before the `` do nut keep running problem occur`` I own the van for only a month , and the previous owner told me that these light have been flashing for a good 6 month already. the van have been running good since I bought it, even with these light flashing.
Again thank you for taking the time to reply to me. need my van badly to carry my tool to work.
Al
ANSWER: Hi Alain,
If the engine start/shutdown is like clockwork (about 3 seconds between starting and shutting off) then I would have to believe there is an anti-theft system involved. What do you observe?
Is this perhaps a vehicle that was originally sold as an export vehicle outside the U.S.?
Could you inquire of the former owner about whether there is an anti-theft system on the vehicle?
If we do conclude that there is not anti-theft system, then about the best thing to do is to get a trouble (fault) code reader and plug it in to the socket under the dash to the left of the steering column and then get any code numbers which will tell us of any faults that have been recognized by the engine control module and which would direct us toward what to do.
Please tell me the vehicle identification number (VIN) as that may help in identifying the actual contstruction date of it.
Roland
PS The flashing of the rear wiper and intermittant lights have nothing to do with the operation of the engine. That is an indication of a possible problem with the heating or cooling of the interior of the vehicle. We can deal with that after we get the engine running again.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The VIN is 2B4FP2530WR750966
But I got the engine running. here is what I did.
I run a positive wire directly to the fuel pump. (from battery thru a switch to the dark green wire with a white stripe.)
I turn the power on to get the pump running and I simply start the engine like I would do it normally, and it start and it ran without any problem.
After that once the van was running I turn the off the power (from the pump) and it keep running.
Following that I shut down the van and restart it a couple of time and every thing seems normal.
Does it has anything to do what what I did??? do not know but it is working now. Is it only a Band Aid a a broken leg?? and it will come back to bite me again.
If you think that I should not be looking Anywhere else, I would love to fix the other problem (The flashing of the rear wiper and intermittant lights )
AnswerHi Alain,
That is interesting because you seem to have solved the problem by directly power the pump and then when you removed the jumper the system worked normally. I am not sure what started to function again so there is no way to predict the future. You would possibly find out what was wrong before you corrected it by getting a fault code readout of the engine control module's memory using a plug-in code reader to a socket under the dash next to the steering column. Sometimes a nationwide parts store will do a free readout or an independent shop may charge about $40 to do it. Get the specific 4-digit code numbers, ask what they mean, what they would do, and for what cost? Then let me know and we'll compare notes with what the manual says.
On the wiper/intermittant lights flashing, I would initiate a self-calibration of the unit as follows:
ANSWER: CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY
TO INITIATE TESTS:
Set Blower motor ON HIGH
Set Mode position to Panel
Open all A/C outlets
Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped)
Depress WASH and REAR WIPER button simultaneously for 5 Seconds (Until all LED's light)
RESULTS:
All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
Calibration Test is running when REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT are alternately flashing. Cooldown test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
Acceptable results is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.
After all tests have passed, Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown can be run separately.
Let me know the results and we'll go from there. There are some clues as to what is wrong by further diagnostic tests.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer and where you see the question about a nomination of me to be 'volunteer of the month' consider giving a 'yes' answer. Thank you
