Chrysler Repair: 99 T/C MiniVan wont start, fans dont run, daimler chrysler, diagnostic capability

Question
I have been driving without the radiator fan for about a month (AC off). For about 3 weeks now, I have been having starter or ignition problems. My battery is only 2 months in use. In the past, if it did not start on the first try it would on the second. The problem has worsened. The engine does not turn-over at all now. I can not afford a dealer repair and I'm a senior citizen with health problems. What's the problem and what is the cheapest means for fixing it? thanks much

Answer
Hi Frankie,
You are the second person today with no fans in his minivan. I believe that it is probably a bad fan relay. There is a possibility that this is a factory recall situation so I would check with a dealer to see if your model was called to replace that relay, or you can check with Daimler-Chrysler corporate headquarters in Detroit or on the internet to find out for sure. It is located in the engine compartment, left side forward near the radiator, down low on the frame rail. It has a 4-wire plug.
On the no turnover/no start. The first thing would be to take the battery back to the place where it was purchased and have them recharge it fully so that you will be able to solve the no start without it running down again. They can do it in a few hours or overnight. If getting the battery to the vendor won't be easy, then see if you can borrow a battery charger from a neighbor and do it yourself. Just remember to attach + to + and - to - and then plug it in.
As for the no start, there may be a way you can get a clue about why it won't start in that the engine computer has a self-diagnostic capability and it stores in the form of coded numbers the reasons for what is wrong called fault codes. The ability to read out the memory may just require the use of your ignition key, but then again it may require the use of a plug-in code reader that you should be able to borrow if there is an Autozone parts store near where you live. Try the ignition key approach first:
Turn it "on-off-on-off-on and leave it in the on position" accomplishing that within no more than 5 seconds. The check engine light will be on, but then one of two things will happen: either the check engine light will begin to flash, pause, flash, ets. so you will want to count the number of flashes before each pause and keep track of those numbers. Then repeat to make sure you have them correctly. Then pair them up in the order they came out to form two digit numbers which are the codes. Then go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html
for a translator of what the code number mean. 55 will be the last code which means end of readout.
The other possibility rather than the engine light beginning to flash is that the code numbers will appear in the odomether window and so you just have to watch that and write them down as the appear.
In any case let me know if you get any codes and we'll figure out what to do next.
If neither modality produces codes, then borrow the code reader and find the receptcle under the dash on the driver's side near the fuse box. Also let me know what tools you have: volt-ohmmmeter, wrenches (metric sizes) and what experience you have with auto repairs? I will be able to guide you as to what to do.
Roland
Roland