Electrical?

Tiny
BRAD BATTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I have a 1989 Dodge Carivan. On the way home from work. I turned a corner and the van just died. I thought maybe it was the fuel pump because I was not getting any fuel. After taking the fuel pump out of the tankand running power to it it works just fine. Then I also noticed that I am not getting any spark. Do you have any suggestion on what to do next or what the problem may be? Thanks Brad
Saturday, January 8th, 2011 AT 9:08 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Hi Brad. Always check for both spark and fuel pressure. Those are two separate circuits but they are both turned on when the Engine Computer sees engine rotation, (cranking or running). It knows that by the pulses from the camshaft position sensor and the crankshaft position sensor, depending on which engine you have. Also, unlike GM pumps, a Chrysler fuel pump rarely quits while it is running. When the brushes in the motor are worn, they typically fail to start up.

A good place to start is by checking for diagnostic fault codes. Many auto parts stores can do that for you, but Chrysler makes it real easy compared to other manufacturers. Cycle the ignition switch three times from "off" to "run" within 5 seconds, leave it in the "run" position, then count the flashes of the Check Engine light. They are two-digit codes. There will be one or more flashes, a short pause, then the flashes for the second digit, then a longer pause before the next code flashes. You might get a code 12 first and you will get a code 55 at the end. 12 just means the ignition switch was turned off recently, and 55 means "end of message". You can disregard those. It's the codes in between that will direct us to the problem circuit. Cranking the engine aborts that test so if that happens, turn the switch off for about five seconds or longer, then start again.

Caradiodoc
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 5:06 AM

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