QuestionQUESTION: My Voyager 2005, 3.3 L, 80 000 km, did not start after a 1 hour parking. It seemed a battery problem. We connect another battery, the car engine started, but the lights in the instrument panel flipped on and off, and after around 3 minutes the engine stopped. No success to restart it. I have the car since new, the battery has never been replaced, and it has got all the dealer services.
Is it possible that activation of a security device has occurred and resetting it may fix the trouble? No extra devices have been installed in the minivan.
Is it possible to fix the "computer" if necessary? The dealer is suggesting to install a new "computer".
ANSWER: Hi Ruben,
I doubt it is the security system or the 'computer'. When the security system is the problem the symptom is that the engine will start, but then die, after a couple of seconds. The computer would only be something to consider changing if the readout of its memory revealed that is had stored a fault code that leads to that conclusion.
I would suggest that you get a fault code readout via the plug that is under the dash by the steering column and find out what 4-digit numbers (preceded by a P) have been recognized and stored in the memory of the digital control system (which actually has several computers. That can be done by a dealer or by a competent independent shop which has a OBD-II system code reader. You also can get it by using your ignition key: turn it "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the instrument cluster to notice the distance (km) changes to show any of P+4 digit codes. Let me know what they are and we'll go from there.
It even could be the battery, or a short circuit which can be diagnosed with a volt-ohm meter, if you have one.
I'll await a report from you. Tell me the country where the van was originally sold, please.
Roland
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: My deep appreciation Roland for your advice.
No communication between the engine computer and the scanner could be got through the plug under the steering column according to the dealer.
The test on switching on-off-on-off-on did not result on a code in the odometer. I did it, and actually the odometer reading did not change at all.
By the way, the van was sold brand new in Mexico.
AnswerHi Ruben
It would be good to check fuses 1,14,17,23 in the box under the hood to be sure that none of those are blown or have a small crack in the wire, and then verify that you have 12V on pins 20 and 46 at the pcm plugs with the ignition in the run position. Only after you verify that the pcm does has power would I conclude that there are no codes available and that the pcm is no good.
Roland
