My Van Has a Mind of it's Own! - Help!!

[Johnnomads]

Re: the battery cables<br>&nbsp; When i bought Casper (97 Chevy Express Hightop) he had electrical issues, which i found <br>to be caused by too many positive connections at the side terminal. When i replaced the <br>battery, i bought a dual terminal with both side and top posts. Separating the cables, with the<br>starter cable on the side, and the others attached to the top post, it cured my electrical <br>problems. That was 2 yrs ago.<br><br>

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Yes Lynx, but all I could think to do was get an old cotton T (out of my rag bag) and stick my finger (pinky) in as far back as possible - I wiped until no more black muck came out on white T. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Good idea, Johnnomads.... Thanks! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[wrcsixeight]

The problem with corrosion on the cabling and wire terminals is the corrosion creeps up in between the lead of the battery lug and the copper stranding and creates a high resistance connection.<br><br>Cleaning the corrosion off will not do much for the corrosion out of sight inside the connector where it can cause issues.<br><br>Make sure the rain water which can drip inside, under the hood, cannot drip and collect on wiring which might funnel it into the engine computer, or the bulkhead connector.<br><br>Most failing fuel pumps are easily audible. &nbsp;You should be able to hear it (even a new one) outside the van over the exhaust rumble, and a failing one will be higher pitched and changing tempo slightly as it struggles to maintain PSI in the lines.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

<span id="post_message_1278032122">Make sure the rain water which can drip inside, under the hood, cannot drip and collect on wiring which might funnel it into the engine computer, or the bulkhead connector.</span>

<br><br>Yeah, I noticed this happening some time back and went through and covered a lot of wiring, connectors, etc. with electrical tape.... and I was getting water atop the battery itself, so I placed a piece of plastic above the battery - to help deflect the water to the side firewall.<br><br>Is this "under the hood rain water" typical of older model Dodge vans?? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[caseyc]

A friend who drives an older Dodge van for carpooling every day to work told me he has the same problem. He told me that while his van's gas tank was low driving home up a long hill, the van engine nearly stopped. He blamed the other driver for not filling up the gas tank enough. &nbsp;I have a similar problem with my Ford van whereby sometimes the engine won't start while parked, especially parked up or down a hill, and especially when on a low tank of gas. &nbsp;What's wrong with Ford and Dodge vans? &nbsp;Geez, if I had to do it all over again, I think I'd get something different. Frustrating problem.<br><br>

 

[Ziggy Moon]

@ caseyc - I never seem to have problems when starting the van up at the beginning of the day or after a normal shut down. Also, I haven't experienced a stall due to an incline (Florida is flat, for the most part). My van just stalls whenever it seems to get a wild hair during deceleration for a stop.&nbsp; <br><br>Yeah, they can be a pain in the arse.... but through it all - ' <strong><em>I Love My Ole Dodge</em></strong> '. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[caseyc]

My problem of the engine not starting at times has been happening more often this past week. I thought maybe because it was that I had put low quality Valero gas into the tank. So when the tank went to 70 percent full, I filled up the rest of the tank with Arco gas at highest octane. But unfortunately, my van engine took 15 minutes to start today while parked at an incline up a hill, even though the tank was completely full. I'm soooooo frustrated by this and have already spent quite a bit of time and money trying to remedy the situation, but to no avail. Even a local Ford dealer repair center can't figure out the problem because they can't replicate the problem at will. &nbsp;Anyway, I feel your pain because even though your problem is different, it has similarities to my van's problem. Actually your problem is worse because your engine stalls while running which is obviously dangerous. &nbsp;At least my engine doesn't start while it's been parked up a hill for a day or longer. Still.........annoying as h@ll, haha!<br><br>

 

[Ziggy Moon]

caseyc, are you absolutely certain that your starting problem only happens when you've been parked on an incline?<br><br><strong>For what it's worth</strong>..... My ex-gf had a Ford Aerostar that suffered sporadic bouts of not wanting to start in the morning, especially after a cold or damp or rainy night. I never did figure out the problem, but, I can definitely say the problem was NOT related to parking on an incline.&nbsp;<br><br>One thing we did try, and it did work.... and this is gonna sound crazy... we put a thick blanket over the engine and closed the hood (removing in the morn), yep, sounds crazy. <br><br>I think this may have worked due to it preventing something getting wet or moist or whatever.... but for the most part - 'It Did Work'! - Maybe her's and your problem is indication of an electrical issue more than a fuel issue.<br><br>Me and Electrical issues Have never seen eye to eye... electrical always wins!<br><br>

 

[Kevin H]

You mentioned the fuel filter but I don't see if you replaced it or not. &nbsp;I would give that a try. &nbsp;I've had similar symptoms in other vehicles. &nbsp;Fuel filter change solved them.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Fuel filter is in the tank, part of the fuel pump module on Magnum engined vans

 

[wrcsixeight]

Ziggy, the computer stores diagnostic codes. &nbsp;These can be retrieved by turning the key on and off twice then back on and leave it on and watch the check engine light.<br><br>It will go out and then start flashing.<br><br>3 flashes then a longer pause, then 5 flashes is a code 35.<br><br>Expect to see &nbsp;a code 12, and a code 55(end of codes)<br><br>Do this now, and then the next time it will not start to see if it stored anything worthwhile for diagnosis

 

[Ziggy Moon]

@ <strong>Kevin H</strong> - I haven't done this yet. I'm holding off a bit and troubleshooting by working thru the cheaper and less labor intensive possibilities advised by others on this thread. But, I'm fearing the fuel pump/filter or the computer is the culprit - both will put a dent in the wallet.&nbsp; <br><br>@ <strong>wrcsixeight</strong> - I understand the procedure, but, which code (35, 12, 55) means what? Where did you get these codes (is there a website link you can add)..... Thanks!

 

[wrcsixeight]

<a href="http://www.turbododge.com/forums/f4/f14/362173-obd1-codes-retrieval-chrysler-1983-1995-a.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.turbododge.com/forums/f4/f14/362173-obd1-codes-retrieval-chrysler-1983-1995-a.html<br><br></a><br>These codes vary a little with Vans. If you get a specific code I will see what my factory service manual has to say about it.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

<span id="post_message_1278033534">@ <strong>wrcsixeight</strong> - <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br></span>

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Have you done a major tune-up recently? Changed the Coil? Distrbuter cap and wires? Wires touching each other or any metal without additional insulation?<br>If bought used, does it still have the GPS tracking device in it? (check inside the glove compartment, remove box)<br>Put in any fuel additives?<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Ziggy Moon]

@ <strong>Lynx</strong> - Nope, as I stated earlier in the thread - I just replaced the water pump, a few remaining old hoses, and the temp gauge sensor.... the van is due for a complete tune-up. Yet, the van is running like a champ other than the very sporadic, infrequent stall during deceleration and stop.<br><br>I'm not aware of a GPS tracking device within the van.. ?? - I bought mine used also (in 2008 or 09). <br><br>I did put a fuel additive in it a few weeks ago.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

A weak coil could cause your problems as well as dirty rotor or distributor or bad wires. Get the wire lube anti-seize.<br><br>Mine had the GPS tracking. There is an antennae and receiver on the roof of mine. It was still pluged in and working. After I unpluged it, things was better. <br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Ziggy Moon]

I Understand, Lynx..... and since the van is in need of a tune-up, I'll be replacing these components soon, hopefully - and I'll be sure to check out that coil to determine if it may be a factor in my stall problem.<br><br> Really Appreciate Yours, and Everyone's Help! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[highdesertranger]

all the tips here are great.&nbsp; when you figure it out I need to know cause my friend's ram truck does basically the same thing and we have tried most of the above tips.&nbsp; his does not set any codes.&nbsp; I have a code reader and have checked several times.&nbsp; I am at a lost on this one.&nbsp; highdesertranger&nbsp;