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1996 Chrysler Town and Country CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, MISSING

Tiny
HMCCHARLES
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  • 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
Noises problem
1996 Chrysler Town and Country V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 300K miles

Our check engine light came on & sounded like it was missing a cyclinder. Tested distrubutor cap, checked out fine, replaced plugs, & still had sound of missing cyclinder, switched 2 plugs & now van will not turn over to start. Switched plugs back & still will not turn over to start. Could switching plugs have caused more problems? Wha could original problem be, missing cyclinder & check engine light? Help! This only transportation & we do not have $$ to take to a mechanic. Help!
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Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 2:12 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
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Replacing the plugs should have helped if anything. The check engine light coming on indicates there is a trouble code stored in the computer. The code will indicate where the problem is coming from. As far as the no start now, is there any chance you mixed up the wires when replacing them? Also, I need you to check for spark and fuel to the engine. Here are the how to for checking them.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_test_an_ignition_system.htm

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Check for both and let me know if what you find. If it won't start, chances are one will be missing.

Let me know what you find, and thanks for using 2carpros.com.

Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
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The wires were placed in properly, however I did switch one plug from top 2 bottom on same plug & tried to start & that is when van would not start(crank but would not turn over), I then placed them back where they belong & Van would still not start but would crank. Could switching the wires cause a problem with another part or with plugs themselves?
I did check. & Fuel is going to engine, but no spark, I then today replaced distributor & still does not turn over. I replaced speed sensor a month ago, which it now sounds the same ( cranking but not turning over) I am considering replacing that again if that works it still does not address original problem which was check engine light & running like it is missing a cyclinder. What else could it be?
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 AT 12:25 AM
Tiny
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One plug wire wouldn't have caused this, so you didn't cause any damage to it. If there is no spark, my next concern would be the crank sensor. Have you checked that?

Joe
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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
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We changed the crank sensor no change. Unsure what this problem could be. We replaced transmission 2 months ago also.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010 AT 1:25 AM
Tiny
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Replace ECU from a 1998 Dodge caravan & now it is running good but am getting code 11 from computer. Checked possible problems online but do not know how to reset logic module. Do you have any ideas?
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Friday, February 5th, 2010 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
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Basically, this means power was removed from the logic module (disconnected or dead battery, etc.) And the logic module has no memory of seeing a signal from the ignition reference sensor. Crank the engine and check for the code again. If the logic module saw a signal, the code will be cleared. This code will not show up if the sensor simply fails. The logic module must be reset and the engine cranked to see if the sensor is working. To do that, you need a scanner. Most parts stores will do it for free.

LEt me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2010 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
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I received the posting back, but no reply. Did you have another question?

Joe
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Thursday, February 11th, 2010 AT 4:05 PM
Tiny
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It is still running check engine light did go off after a couple of drives but is now back on? I am not going to worry for now. It may be on because ecm was from a 3.3 instead of 3.8 engine.
If you do not think that will cause a problem, I am fine. Thanks for your help :)
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Thursday, February 11th, 2010 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
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That could cause the problem. Is everything else working properly? We were always when changing the ECM, it had to be one with the exact part number. Was it different?
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Thursday, February 11th, 2010 AT 10:15 PM
Tiny
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It sounds like it is running the same as before, only problem in the first few runs it stalled while in reverse. It has not stalled since. Do you think it could cause damage running on this ecm?
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Friday, February 12th, 2010 AT 1:17 AM
Tiny
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If it is running good, it shouldn't cause any problems.
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Saturday, February 13th, 2010 AT 12:41 PM

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