Questionmy 2000 chrysler voyager came to a halt with no apparent reason almost like it was running out of petrol and refusing to start since lights radio etc all working just wont start please can you help me ?????
AnswerHi Nicola,
My first thought is one of the solid-state sensors of the position/motion of the crankshaft and camshaft have started to breakdown. Often if you let the van sit for an hour it will then start when the device cools down. But if you don't have a voltmeter or a spare spark plug to check the sensor or whether you have spark or not, then you can get a diagnostic clue by reading the memory of the engine controller for fault codes. On your vehicle I believe that you can do this by:
Put the key in the ignition switch
Press and hold the trip and reset buttons on the instrument cluster
Turn the key to the ACC position
Continuing to hold the buttons, count to 5
Release the buttons
Watch the odometer window and watch for 4-digit numbers to appear. If an 0320 or an 0340 appear, that would mean the crank or the cam, respectively are failed/failing.
Write back for instructions or if other codes appear.
If you have a spare spark plug try taking one of the caps off a spark plug on the engine (pull on the cap, not the wire), insert the plug, hold the cap and place the plug threads against the cylinder head (to "ground" the plug), and then have a helper crank the engine for 5 seconds while you watch for whether you have a spark jumping across the electrodes of the plug for 5 seconds or not.
Those are the basic approaches to a non-start.
Roland
