QuestionQUESTION: I own a 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE with Flex Fuel. This van has been great, lots of room and very comfortable.
Did regular maintenance, changing fluids and filters when needed. But over the last two years I have had some hard times with it.
We had the transmission rebuilt at 86000, could have gone longer if I changed the filter more than once.
Had the Computer go out in the car at 92000 miles; the van would not start, all the gauges worked, battery was good, had the starter checked, they were all good. Then sent it to the dealer who said it was the computer, spent 200 dollars on a refurbished one.
Van ran fine until... Now at 97000 miles the same problem has come up and I don't know what to do. All the gauges light up, the battery checks good, and again the same with the starter. Checked all of the fuses, 2 different starter fuses; who would have guessed but both are good.
So I have a 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager that won't start. I don't want to take it to the dealer again, but I think it might be my only option.
ANSWER: Hi Bill,
I need to make sure that you mean the starter will crank the engine but it won't catch and idle, correct? If that is so, does it catch and run for a couple of seconds and then die? Or does the starter not even crank?
There are several possibliities depending upon those answers. So use the "thank/rate" to get back without having to wait for me to be 'available' for a question. There is a place for comments. Also mention which engine you have in it.
If it won't catch at all, have you checked for spark while you are cranking it? Do you hear the fuel pump run for a second or so when you turn the key to the "run" position? Those are of course key to catching and of diagnostic significance. If by chance it starts I would go immediately to an Autozone parts store and get a free fault code readout or to an independent shop who might charge about $40.
Roland
Hi, The starter will not turn over at all. We took the starter out and tested it at Autozone and it works just fine there. We also switched the relays around to see if it was a relay problem - still no crank. We previously changed the ignition switch several times. The engine is a 3.3L.
Hi Bill,
First, listen to the starter relay when you try the starter. If it clicks and the starter motor doesn't respond, and you have tried different relays, then it has to the brown wire from the relay pin 87 to the starter solenoid is "open". If it doesn't click, then you need to check fuses 2, 6, 10 in the power distribution box under the dash as well as a postive temp coefficient "fuse-like" device in position 1 of a horizintal row of sockets above the conventional fuses. Test each one of those for continuity as they are all involve in the starter function. If all those are good, then it will be necessary to do some voltage verifications at the points where those fuse outputs are supposed to be supplied. Based on those results we can then decide if a module or a switch is your problem.
So, let me know the results of your next tests.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: OK, I went out this morning to check out the van and it started, so I tried it a dozen more times and it started each time. I went back out a few hours later and it wouldn't start. I just tried it again and it started. So, whatever the problem is, it is intermittent. Now what? Check the voltages to see if it is the module?
AnswerYou will have to wait till it won't start. Then see if the starter relay clicks or not. If not, then try moving the gear shift lever a bit off center from the P or N position as that could be the problem. After that let me know and if you have a voltmeter we can start going over the circuits. But you can't troubleshoot if it will start. Did you check the fuses?
Roland
