- posted
17 years ago
caravan wont start.. fuel promblom-AGAIN
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago
You made no mention, I would start by replacing the fuel pump relay
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago
If you have power going to the fuel pump and it doesn't work the pump must be bad. It may be the brushes are worn ou t or there may be a bad spot on the commutator. Next time it happens try hitting the bottom of the tank with a rubber mallet while someone cranks it over, if the pump starts working you have a bad pump.
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago
Exactly what I was going to suggest... Had a similar problem with the wife's '93 caravan. She was stuck and I had to come to the rescue... Had her crack it, and I gave the tank a smack with my fist. Started up immediately.
A little additional information for the OP.
With a problem like you describe, you will only have the problem during start-up. Once the pump is running, it will almost always continue to run, only exhibiting problems again when it must start from a stopped state. It just indicates that the pump is dying (worn out most likely) but not completely dead yet.
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago
update: i have tryed smacking the tank with a rubber malet. it doesent do anything. i bench test the pump with direst power and it works every time. when i turn the key to the on position you are supposed to hear 2 clicks from the relays. but it only makes one click when it wont start. i tryed changing the relay and it does the same. if i get lucky and keep turning the key on and of untill i hear the 2 clicks then it will start. but for a hole day i tryed it and all i got was the one click from the relays. i would come out the next day turn the key on and i would hear the 2 clicks and the van would start and drive for another week or up to a month. then out of the blue it would act up again with a no start and one click from the relays.
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago
intermidiate
You don't mention the mileage, you don't say if the fuel pump was replaced in one of the 5 times you removed it!!! And the 3 seconds that you consider intermittent is normal, the shut relay is designed to shut down if the vehicle does not start within 3 seconds of crank until you try it again. Bench testing a fuel pump is not a good idea since one small spark will ignite the pump and possibly you too. This vehicle is 12 years old, its time for a pump anyhow. I would highly recommend installing a MOPAR pump if it has not been done.
Just a thought
Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago