Chrysler Repair: 1996 Dodge caravan no start, fuel pump relay, dodge caravan


Question
have a 1996 dodge caravan which I'm try to find out which relay under the dash is for the fuel pump. have changed the fuel pump, but sometimes it doesn't crank.was told its the relay causing problems.the cover for the relay fuse box doesn't have the lay out.

Answer
Hi Charlie,
The fuel pump relay is the next to the last one in the box that is under the hood. There are 3 smaller relays in a row, the rear one is the automatic shut down, the middle one is the fuel pump, and the front one is the transmission control relay. Let me know if your box isn't layed out that way as I am going from the '98 manual.
Have you tried for fault codes? Use 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 begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then repeat the procedure to be sure you have an accurate set of counts. Let me know the counts in the order of appearance and we'll go from there.
Roland
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the service light flashed in this order 1,2,4,2,5,5 i would like to thank you in advance for your help with my dodge 1996 caravan


Hi Charlie,
The codes are 12,42,55. The 12 just means the battery power to the computer was disconnected sometime in the past 50 key cycles and usually means just that, the battery was taken out of the circuit.
The 55 means "end of code readout".
The 42 code is relevant to a no start problem. It says the automatic shutdown relay (which provides power to the fuel pump, spark coil, oxygen sensors, transmission relay, fuel injectors) has a problem with its circuit (i.e. the relay is being told by the computer to close but for some reason no power is coming from it).
The possibilities are the relay is bad (you could try switching it with the transmission relay if they have the same part number) or fuse #17 is blown (which provides the power to close the relay), or a wire in the actuation side or the output side of the relay is "open". I would check to hear the relay close or not when you turn the ignition swictch to "run" position. It should close for about 1 second and then open. If you try the "start" position the relay should close again and stay closed as long as you are cranking and of course stay closed if the engine starts and runs. Check fuse #17; and you can verify whether the 12v power is coming out or not from the relay at the dark green/orange wire at the alternator.
All of the above is based upon my '98 manual which I believe applies also to your '96. If the power distribution box is as I described it in my initial answer then that is very likely correct.
Roland
PS Thanks for the evaluation and nomination. Please let me know what you learn, and also mention which engine you have.
PPS:The fuse I listed above is called "engine" but I have been informed that for '96-7 it is #12 in the powerbox. So take a look at both of the fuses!