QuestionI can't get to the van right now as it is in the shop - where it has set for several months. The mechanic is stumped so I decided to see if anyone on the Internet could help.
Last year when the Check Engine light came on I took it to the Chrysler dealer and asked him what it meant. He said they did't know (but charged me $80.00). I asked him to at least tell me what codes it had and he said the only code was "Not commanded to be on." I asked him to at least clear it and turn off the the Check Engine light. He said they tried but couldn't. Some help, huh?
I also have the 1992 Chrysler Service Manual for my van. If you will look on page 8E-1 you will see a picture of the electronic cluster (Fig. 3). Look very close and you will see a small symbol just to the right of TRIP and centered just above the odometer. This is the mysterious symbol I'm asking about. This is the exact same diagram that is in the operator's manual (p. 39). Nowhere in either book is there any mention of this symbol (just like they don't mention the asterisk used to indicate a replacement cluster). I guess Chrysler likes to keep secrets.
This mysterious little symbol started blinking on and off when the van died and continues to blink to this very day whenever the ignition is turned on. Do you know how to access a cluster repair facility (the same guys who insert that little secret asterisk)? Maybe they know what this blinking symbol is trying to tell me?
My current mechanic wants to replace the entire front wiring harness and I have purchased one (mail order from a Dallas wrecking yard - $150.00) but haven't got it yet. I think he's checked everything he could think of and is grasping at straws. I know he already replaced the engine controller, some relays and some wiring without success. I think its a good car and I really want to fix it. Like I said before, it cranks fine but doesn't even fire a lick. Any help would be appreciated.
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Followup To
Question -
1.My 1992 minivan just shut itself off while traveling 50 mph. It will crank just fine but will not fire. Whenever the key is turned on there is a very small symbol blinking in the electronic instrument cluster. The symbol is centered above the odometer and looks something like a flower or asterisk. I do not have a diagnostic reader. Could you at least tell me what this blinking symbol is intended to mean? And, perhaps what I might do to get this damn thing to start so I can at least drive it back home?
2. The orange 'Check Engine' light at the top of the panel stays on all the time. When the ignition is turned off it fades off very slowly. My dealer told me that it was "Not commanded to be on." and that he could not clear it or turn it off. Does this indicate any problem needing attention or can I just ignore it like I have the past 20,000 miles?
Answer -
Hi Tom,
I have a shop manual for the '93 van but the cluster description is not complete as to the asterisk symbol's meaning. If you have the owner's manual it will tell you what it means. Is that symbol associated with the shutdown or has it been present for some time? The check engine light is relevant so I can't understand why the dealer would say that, unless he found there to be no fault codes stored in the controller memory in which case the light is on for no reason.
The more important question in your mind is how to start the van again. Reading out the engine controller memory for fault codes is the first step. Try using the ignition key: turn it "on-off-on-off-on" and leave it "on" (doing this quickly, no longer than 5 seconds). By "on" I mean just the normal position when the engine is running, not the cranking position. The 'check engine'light will remain on when you leave the key in the "on" position with the engine still not running. But then watch the 'check engine' light to begin flashing, then pause, flashing, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause and keep track of the numbers. Repeat the readout and verify the counts are correct. Then group them in pairs in the order that they came out, thus forming two digit numbers. You may notice that the pause is shorter between the digits of a given number, and longer between the numbers themselves. Then
send me a 'follow-up' question telling me the results of your readout. By the way, 55 will be the last number (two groups of 5 flashes each) and that is the code for "end of readout".
I have the troubleshooting manual for several engines and we can look up the possibilities of what is wrong based upon what fault codes you show. When you write back tell me what engine is in the van.
There is also an essay on fault codes at the site:
http://www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html
which gives the meaning of the code numbers. But then you need to get specific info for what exactly might be the diagnostic tests or parts to replace to complete the repair. Let me know the codes and I can give you some direction. If there are no fault codes then the problem could be a spark issue. You can check for spark using a phillips head screwdriver with a plastic handle. Remove one of the spark plug wires at the plug end and insert the tip of the screwdriver into the cap so that the tip touches the wire connector deep in the cap, then hold the plastic handle of the screwdriver so the shaft is 1/4" from the cylinder head while a helper cranks the starter. (Don't touch any metal, so you don't get a shock). Just watch for a spark to jump from the screwdriver shaft to the cylinder head across the 1/4" gap. Don't crank it for more than 5 seconds. If you get spark for 5 seconds then that is o.k. and we will have to look further. If you get spark for 1-2 seconds or not at all that is relevant to know.
So write back with the results.
Roland
AnswerHi Tom,
I saw the asterisk, but no explanation in the '93 manual either. I doubt it is related to the shutdown. I haven't come upon any cluster repair shops.
The reason I suggested the spark test was the possibility that the ASD relay is not closing so as to provide power to the spark coil and fuel pump. And that relay will do that whenever there is no signal from the cranksensor which will happen when the sensor fails or if you have a timing belt if that breaks. If you could get it to read fault codes via the check engine light it would give you a code 11; then you would go and get a new crank sensor and be back in business. If you check for spark and it lasts for 1-2 seconds that is a sign that the ASD relay is o.k. but that it isn't getting the crank sensor signal. So find out what goes on with the spark (its duration during a 5 second crank is what is needed to know). And tell me which engine is in there.
Roland
