QuestionLast night after traveling for about 65 mi my 96 Voyager LE 3.3
quit at about 65 mph. After pulling over it started immediately
and quit 5 sec later. Then nothing, the starter would not engage
(outherwise there was plenty of battery power--lights, radio,
etc.) after trying intermittently for about 20 min it suddenly
engaged and started getting me ten miles further and home. The
same thing happened again today but after only about 1/3 of a
mi and much less time for a restart. This is a problem that has
been occurring about twice times a year since the van had about
20,000 mi (now above 100k) and it runs fine in-between. There
doesn't appear to be a pattern--speed, hot cold weather, lenght
of travel, etc.)--the dealer was never able to fine a problem-the
codes were gone by the time the van got to them. Any thoughts
would be appreciated.
ps the stalling is 95% of the time followed by the starters failure
to engage -- dead silence.
AnswerHi Terry,
The commom failure of the engine to operate and the starter is very relevant. It suggests that a very basic electrical current is being lost. But before I suggest what to look for let me suggest that you do a code readout. 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".
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.
Now in specific, it would be very prudent to examine the wires that are associated with the - post of the battery because these are the return current lines that must be patent to operate everything in the van. There should be two black wires, one attached to the body near the battery, the other attached to the engine. Make sure of those attachments being shiney and tight at the end of each wire. Then remove the - post clamp at the battery and clean the post and clamp interface, then remove the + post clamp and clean similarly. Then reattach the + post clamp and finally end by attaching the - post clamp.
You might also take a look in the power distribution center under the hood near the battery to examine the #5 fuse (40 amp) a circuit breaker in fuse position #10 (3 amp) and fuse #12 (20 amp). Make sure that their contact interconnections are clean and shiney and that there is no subtle crack in the fuse wire or looseness in the circuit breaker reset function. You might check these with an ohmmeter or continuity tester if you have one.
Let me know about the code readout result. It may just be a code 12 and 55. If it is only that, then it would corroborate the theory of the basic power supply current for both the engine and the starter. If there is another code, it would be relevant also. The other possibility of this basic sort is that the ignition switch is wearing out. Do you happen to have a very large number of keys on the key chain? That excess weight can fatigue the switch prematurely and affect its reliability in both the run and the starter positions.
Thanks for the detailed history, which is very helpful to me.
Roland
