QuestionQUESTION: Hi again'
This is a new question related to the above subject that was recently submitted.
As we discussed, without changing the vin and mileage, I temporarily installed a replacement PCM from another 98 Caravan 3.3 with the same part number to at least see if the asd relay would stop chattering.
After installation all the relays and solenoid no longer chatter, the check engine light no longer flashes on and off and the starter produces a normal crank. Everything now appears normal except it doesn't start. It tries to start but it feels like it is starved for fuel. Rarely it actually starts for an instant and then dies.
I haven't checked anything yet because I wanted to know if this could have anything to do with not changing the vin and mileage and if it does; what is the mechanism that kills the engine and is there a way to temporarily bypass it? My vehicle does not have a factory installed anti theft device. Thanks.
Steve
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
I believe that the antitheft device works by disconnecting the autoshutdown relay after about 3 seconds of a successful start up. You could try pulling the relay and jumping between 30 and 87, the inboard side-by-side socket pins. That will start the fuel pump and power up the spark coil and the heated oxygen sensors so you don't want to drive it around like that, but at least you will know if the problem is with the ASD being shutdown. If the replacement pcm's came from a vehicle with a theft system then that may be why, if indeed the ASD is being shutdown.
You might also want to check for fault codes in the memory of the pcm, using the ignition key.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Roland,
I am a little embarrassed. It turns out that the fuel pump connector was disconnected at the fuel pump during the original process of trying to understand the chattering relay condition. I plugged the connector back in and it started right up. All is back to normal. As you suspected, the PCM was bad. There was a celebration.
I am curious about one thing. I never tried to read the MIL codes on this car via the key method before. I turn the key on/off/on/off/on within a few seconds but no codes(flashing cel) appear. When I do the same on my 97 caravan 3.3 I usually get a code or two. Thanks.
Steve
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
The MIL light only did the flashing in most of the models through the '97 model year. Then instead the readout was via the odometer window which should either show 4-digit OBD-II codes or the word 'done'.
So see what happens looking at that odometer window. I'm glad the problme is resoloved.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Again,
I tried the key method of reading the OBD-II codes via the odometer window. I do not see any codes or the word "done". Could this have anything to do with not having the replacement PCM programmed with my vehicle's vin number and mileage as yet? Somehow though the odometer reading is correct. Thanks.
Steve
AnswerHi Steve,
I don't know why you don't get any codes on the odometer but I doubt it has to do with the pcm not being programmed with VIN, and the mileage reading is stored in the BCM in any case so that is why it is reading properly at the odometer. I assume that the engine is still running properly.
Roland
PS Thank you so much for the kind remarks and nomination.
