Question1990 LEBARON V6 3 LITER CONVERTIBLE
I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE BLOCK AND I HIT A BUMP (WITH BAD SHOCKS)SO THE FRONT HIT THE BUMP AND NOW WILL NOT START. THE BATTERY GAUGE WORKS BUT SAYS THERES NO JUICE BUT STARTERS FIRING BUT NOT STARTING AND A SMALL DOT BLINKS BY THE TRIPMETER
PLEASE POST OR MAIL BACK THIS IS MY ONLY CAR
REPLACED STARTER ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO
ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
SINCERELY
TREY LOWRY
AnswerHi Trey,
I am not sure whether the starter motor is cranking the engine or not, but I will assume that it is. You might nonetheless check the battery cables to make sure they are tight at the battery.
So if it is cranking but not starting, then you need to do two things: check for spark, and check for fault codes.
Here is how to check for fault codes:
The fault codes are stored in the engine controller memory for 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). 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. By the way, 55 will be the last number (two groups of 5 flashes each) and that is the code for "end of readout".
Let me know if you get any codes other then 55.
To check for spark:
remove a spark plug wire and cap at one of the plugs (twist the cap, don' pull on the wire). You will need a helper to run the ignition switch, so recruit a helper. Take a phillips head screwdriver with a plastic handle (for electrical insulation, you will hold the screwdriver by the handle only!) and insert the tip of the screwdriver into the spark plug cap until it reaches the bottom of the hole in thc cap where it will make electrical contact with the wire connector that usually connects it to the spark plug.
Then hold the screwdriver with one hand on the handle, with the tip pointing up and the plug cap sitting on top of the tip and you other hand holding the plug cap and wire. Then move the screwdriver and rubber cap toward the engine so that the metal shaft of the driver is 1/4" from a metal surface on the engine head or valve cover. Then ask the helper to crank the engine and watch to see if a blue spark jumps between the shaft of the screwdrive and the metal part of the engine, 1/4" away. Have the helper crank for 5 seconds and notice whether you have spark for the entire 5 seconds, 1 second or so, or not at all.
Then let me know what the code readout showed and what the spark test showed. Also let me know whether you have a voltohmmeter or a neon 12V glow electrical test light (either will do).
Good luck and take your time. I will get back to you, if you finish this test this afternoon, when I return from bowling at around 4:30 pm PDT.
If I am shown as Maxed out, so you can't reply , then send me an answer to: rfinston@hotmail.com
Roland
