Chrysler Repair: 1996 VOYATER VAN: no start, fuel level sensor, loud bangs

Question
MY TRANSMISSION WENT ON MY VAN IT MADE TWO LOUD BANGS AND I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.  I HAD SOMEBODY PULL ONE FROM A JUNK YARD AND PUT IT IN AND NOW THAT EVERYTHING IS BACK TOGETHER AND THE STARTER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE SOMEHOW THE STARTER WENT.  NOW THE GUY SAYS THAT THE CAR ISN'T GETTING ANY FUEL.  HE CHECKED THE RELAY'S AND HE ALSO SAYS THERE IS AN EXTRA WIRE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK AND HE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE IT GOES TO.  NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR WON'T START AND THE FUEL PUMP IS TURNING ON! PLEASE HELP I JUST HAD A BAD TRAN IN ANOTHER CAR AND BOUGHT THIS ONE TO ONLY HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN....ANY IDEAS WOULD BE GREAT

Answer
Hi Robin,
If the fuel pump is turning on then there should be pressure in the fuel rail at the engine. That could be verified. It may be that the injectors aren't releasing fuel and there may be no spark because of a lack of pulses from the engine position sensors (cam and crank).
One thing to definitely try: see if there are any fault codes stored in the engine computer which would give us a clue as to why it won't start. Turn the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to start 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. Then combine the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault code numbers. The last 2 sets of counts is always 5 in each, forming the code 55 which means 'end of readout'. The other numbers will be useful to solving the 'no start'.
On the fuel wire that is loose, ask what the colors of the wire are so I can ID it and tell him where it goes. If the pump runs then it probably is the fuel level sensor wire.
Write back and tell me the fault code numbers or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code list. We can go from there, but tell me which size engine is in the van as that will be helpful.
Roland