QuestionQUESTION: When I turn the key it'll turn over and shut off. I'll sometimes put in neutral and it'll start up, and now that doesn't work. When took it to the dealer it would start up every time and after I bring it home, the next morning, it wouldn't start. After I got home today I started the van 3 times. I can bet, at this point that it will not start in the morning. Frustrated...
ANSWER: What is the year/engine size of the vehicle? How long does it run before it shuts off? Have you tried to get any fault codes that might be stored in the engine controller memory?
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QUESTION: 1996 town %26 country.
3.8 engine.
it immediately shuts off.
I have not tried any fault codes.
ANSWER: Hi Reggie,
Try the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. The watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat the process to be sure of an accurate set of flash counts. Tell the counts and we'll go from there.
The reason I asked about the time of shut off is because if you have the anti-theft system it will allow the engine to start but shut it off in 1-2 seconds if it hasn't been 'disarmed'. Could that be the reason for this?
Roland
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QUESTION: 1st try was 12323155.
2nd try was the same 12323155.
What does this mean? And you're right, it shuts off 1-2
seconds after I start it.
AnswerHi Reggie,
12 means the battery power to the engine computer was disconnected in the past 50-100 key cycles. If you haven't taken a clamp off the battery then this might be significant. otherwise ignore.
32 means the exhaust gas recirculation valve is not respoinding properly. It could be that it is sticking in a slightly ajar position which makes for a difficult/no start. I will tell you how to deal with that.
31 means the gas vapor collection and recycling system solnoid switch is not responding or it could be a hose is cracked or loose in that system. The solenoid switch is mounted on the right engine mount (in front of the right strut tower) and has some vacuum lines attached to it. It is covered with a rubber boot. Check the hoses and the electrical wires/plug at the solenoid.
55 means end of fault code readout
On the egr my immediate suspicion is that your egr valve is sticking slightly ajar which will cause the engine to falter/stop at idle speed after slowing down or be hard to start/idle. The valve is located under the throttle body air intake at the end of the engine, mounted in pipe that recirculates exhaust gas from the rear cylinder bank exhaust pipe back around to the intake manifold. The exhaust gases have some fumes that can plate out a crud on the valve stem and thus keep it from closing tight when you are at idle. That makes for a too lean mixture so the engine stalls/won't idle. The valve proper is mounted horizontally with the stem visible in a space between the body of the valve mounted on the pipe and the round top of the valve which is flanged and so if you look carefully you will see a metal rod (stem of the valve) with a slot around its circumference. You can take the tip of flat blade screwdriver and insert it in the slot and then lever the valve back and forth to check if it is moving freely (against spring action in one direction) or not. If it doesn't seem to close easily with the help of the built-in spring, then I would spray the base of the stem with solvent from a pressure can (such as WD-40 or carb cleaner) while moving the stem back and forth. Then see if that solves the issue.
Do you know if you have a vehicle theft security system? There would be a warning light on the top of the dash if so. If that is being 'set' when you leave the vehicle (by locking the doors via the power door lock, the key lock, or the remote) then when you return it has to disarm (the light go off) or it will behave as you described. So that may be the cause of this issue.
To get around that one, just never use the power locks, the key lock, or the remote to lock up the vehicle so that it is not armed.
Instead simply secure the vehicle by using the mechanical lock push-buttons on the inside of the doors when you exit.
Roland
