QuestionRoland
I wrote to you about a week ago, and have not been able to respond, b/c you are always maxed out on questions.
My 96 T&C is randomly starting. I have put in a new battery, new fuel pump relay and nothing helped. I did the on-off cycle and got a code 21 which is the O2 sensor. I am not sure if that would cause the van to not start. Every now and then I can start it and it runs normal, then when I go back out it turns over, acts like it is out of gas, and will not start. I can hear the fuel pump click on when I turn the ignition key. Someone said that maybe the fuel pump was not priming correctly? If you think it is the O2 sensor, can it be reached from under the hood, or does it need to be on a lift to replace it.
I have no way to respond to your answer b/c you are always maxed out. my email is katmcneely3@yahoo.com
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
thank you
Katrina
AnswerHi Katrina,
The oxygen sensor does not come into play until the engine has been running for a few minutes, so it will have nothing to do with a no start.
Without any other codes you are left with only one thing that I can suggest: the egr valve is randomly sticking ajar; when that happens it leans the mixture too much to cause it to fire up. If the fuel pump always hums for about 1 second when you turn the key to the run position (before turning it to the starter motor position) then the fuel pump is probably OK. So look for the egr which is mounted in a pipe that runs from the exhaust maniflod on the rear cylinder bank and comes toward the rear of the engine where it joins, near the intake throttle body, to the intake manifold. Along the pipe, very near the throttle body (and slightly underneath it, you will see mounted in that pipe the egr valve which has a round top and a vacuum hose connected to it from another round vacuum object mounted abouve the air intake throttle body. If you examine the valve you will see between its round top and the valve body proper a flange with a rod inside of it. The rod has a circumferential slot. That rod is the valve stem. You take a screwdriver tip and use it in the slot to move the rod back and forth, against spring pressure in one direction that is supposed to close the valve tightly. If you find that the spring in not closing the valve tightly to a dead stop, then it is ajar. Spray the stem with WD-40 or similar solvent, where it enters the valve body, to help it move freely again. Then with the valve full closed, try to start the engine. It should start. When it won't, then it is a good possibility that you will find the valve stem to be slightly short of a dead stop. But WD-40 should fix the movement for you.
I can only deal with questions thru the site as I only have so much time to devote to this effort. But try me again as described in my expertise statement.
Roland
