Van does not start

I took the van to a new mechanic, because the other one (2 of them) said just 'junk it" or get a new or used pre-owned engine for 2003 Dodge Caravan, because the engine after 15 years is dead, it's the engine.

I did not give up (yet.) Dad, mommy and I all had it towed to a mechanic shop, near one of the other one's we formerly done business with.

Note:
I was however told by Mr. Tire of Rocky Mount, NC put water in it, for now, and this will keep it going at least for a few months. (He said this four months ago)and it has been yes, running fine some days, usually 5 out of seven days. Water in it each/every day and or one time every 2 days." Now, it just cut-off, and running rough. Spent hundreds on a tow, for past month. (Triple AAA ran out til this winter November/December to renew trip aaa) so been spending much on a local tow.


Now As of today:

This mechanic and manager both agreed it (maybe) isn't the engine so we will try first to fix it, to avoid a costly used and or new engine."

Mechanic manager said:

Let's first try the basics, et. Al, and also order Wired Harness."

Today, he has had it at his shop now for going on 8 hours since Friday. The harness was shot.(Worn out melt etc. Al. )He did show me proof of this.

I was praying it was the issue, because dad want to keep his old van through his eighties. Etc. So the mechanic told me, while he showed me 1 hour ago, "It runs, yes."But, it is not running "rich."The manager, backed up this phrase, the words, and said, but we "got it started." He said he got it started on Friday too prior to replacing the Dodge engine wired harness."

Now, he said he will keep checking to see"what is the problem" before blindly saying it is the engine."

I would hope some one over here with such prowess, and or knowledge, as to what can feasibly be the problem with the reason dad's van is not starting. Is it anything else we can look for, and or that the mechanic should be searching for to remedy this issue."


Dad only utilize it, for local store (1 block away) bank, doctor's office, local things all within a short 1 to 3 miles NC radius.

Can it feasibly be distributor coil (a neighbor mention it as he had a 2002 Dodge) and cited this was his issue, after it turned out, it was not the wired harness."

Another person (who I used to work with said his mom's 2004 Caravan) began running rough plus would at times, either 1.)Feel like it is cutting off at per each stop sign, red light. And or 2.)She would feel it start to "shake at times."at per light.

It turned out he just helped her pay to get fixed something known as the Engine Control Mod or ECM. He was telling me on phone a day or two ago."His mechanic in Raleigh NC told him, after 1 and a 1/2 days of working on, conducting test, said it was the ECM on mom's dodge.


This fixed his issue, as my friend told me. (She still driving her van without an issue for 7 months or so), but said, that it can be costly, so mechanic should check everything, and should know the issue in another day, at least what is going on with my father's van.

Please help.
Thanks in advance, everyone.


From,
Cassie