|
|
98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
filibuster
New User
Jul 9, 2011, 8:53 AM
Post #1 of 7
(2836 views)
|
98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
Sign In
|
|
Hi. I see similar questions posted here, but thought someone might fine-tune it for my problems.
98 Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan, 3.0L, 250K miles.
This minivan suddenly wouldn't start one day about a month ago. Would randomly start fine, then next day not. Can not start one minute, then turn over just fine the next. Engine still sounds fine, when it does run. Turning key easily turns on accessories, but just a very faint 'click' from under the hood, when it doesn't start.
I just spent money replacing the alternator, assuming that was it, but it is still the same.
Edit: I replaced the starter....not the alternator!
In trying to retrace anything I might have done to cause a problem....
I recently changed the fuel filter myself. A ground wire in that area was so rusted at its connection to the body that it fell off when I touched it. I haven't replace it yet--could this result in the problem I'm having? I have yet to find a good description online of what, in fact, ground wires do.
I had also changed the air filter recently. Kind of a hassle--have to remove the cool box (or whatever it's called) to get down to the air filter. I inadvertently forgot to re-attach the small hose coming into (or leading out of?) that cool box when I finished -- duh! I was driving around for a few days and didn't discover that until several days later, when this starting problem began, and I looked under the hood. Could this have contributed to the problem?
Here is what I now see posted as a pin here, that seems wise:
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.
--------------------------------------------
As well, someone here suggested solenoid issues might be possible, in a similar case:
Should get a test light or volt meter. see if you have power at the big wire going to the starter solinoid from the battery.. now disconnect the smaller wire going to the solinoid see if there is 12v there with a assistant holding the key in the Start position. Make sure both batter clamps are clean and greased, check your ground and power cables for corrosion.
...Do you have any thoughts in my problem, before I delve into the above measures?
Thanks so much for any help.
(This post was edited by filibuster on Jul 9, 2011, 1:34 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 9, 2011, 10:21 AM
Post #2 of 7
(2822 views)
|
|
Re: 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
Sign In
|
|
Those instructions are for a car that cranks but doesn't start. It sounds like yours isn't cranking. It could be a bad connection or a bad starter but the circuit will have to be troubleshooted when the problem is present.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
|
filibuster
New User
Jul 9, 2011, 1:29 PM
Post #4 of 7
(2811 views)
|
|
Re: 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
Sign In
|
|
I changed my STARTER, not the alternator! Sorry. 
Sorry but that response to fix the ground wire still leaves me uneducated about what the heck it's for. I'll do it anyway.
(This post was edited by filibuster on Jul 9, 2011, 1:37 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 9, 2011, 1:54 PM
Post #5 of 7
(2806 views)
|
|
Re: 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
Sign In
|
|
If you want to "get educated", then I suggest you buy a service manual. We have no idea what you're looking at but ground wires are there to complete a circuit so if you see one not connected, then connect it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
filibuster
New User
Jul 9, 2011, 4:31 PM
Post #6 of 7
(2796 views)
|
|
Re: 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
Sign In
|
|
Emm...I HAVE a manual, and grounds are not described....thanks.
As I said, I'll have it reattached.
Thanks for the input...
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 9, 2011, 5:59 PM
Post #7 of 7
(2792 views)
|
|
Re: 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager only starts sometimes; acc. OK. Changed alternator--no help.
|
Sign In
|
|
If a ground strap to body was corroded enough to just fall off you should be checking all battery cable connections, both ends and every ground strap the thing has. You just have to know they are good or who knows what problems they will cause if not?
T
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2011 Dodge Nitro OBD scanner seems to drain battery in 10-20 minutes
equipment
Howdy
