Chrysler Grand Voyager intermittent starting probs.
Discussion
Hi all. Been a long time lurker to the forum and finally took the plunge and joined. I'm actually after some advice/Thoughts on a problem I'm having with my GV. I've had the car for just over 3 years with no major issues. Until about 6 weeks ago. It has started to play up by not starting, not all the time but it is getting more frequent. It has also lost power twice whilst I've been driving which was scary. When I turn the key I get absolutely nothing, no crank, nothing. The battery is fine, all the instrument cluster lights up, fans, radio everything no issues there, just won't crank the engine. At first if I waited a couple of minutes it would eventually start and everything would be fine but in the last week or so it is taking longer to "recover". The only way I can get the car started now if I'm out is to disconnect the negative battery terminal for 20 mins approx. It will then start up normally when reconnected. I have changed all the fuses, had the starter looked at as I said the battery is good. Has anyone had this problem before and if so, what was the outcome. I would really appreciate some help with this. The car was bought because of growing family and i wasn't really that keen at first, but over time I have grown to love it. It really is a workhorse and has never let me down up till now. Fingers crossed someone can help me.
Big7 said:
Hi all. Been a long time lurker to the forum and finally took the plunge and joined. I'm actually after some advice/Thoughts on a problem I'm having with my GV. I've had the car for just over 3 years with no major issues. Until about 6 weeks ago. It has started to play up by not starting, not all the time but it is getting more frequent. It has also lost power twice whilst I've been driving which was scary. When I turn the key I get absolutely nothing, no crank, nothing. The battery is fine, all the instrument cluster lights up, fans, radio everything no issues there, just won't crank the engine. At first if I waited a couple of minutes it would eventually start and everything would be fine but in the last week or so it is taking longer to "recover". The only way I can get the car started now if I'm out is to disconnect the negative battery terminal for 20 mins approx. It will then start up normally when reconnected. I have changed all the fuses, had the starter looked at as I said the battery is good. Has anyone had this problem before and if so, what was the outcome. I would really appreciate some help with this. The car was bought because of growing family and i wasn't really that keen at first, but over time I have grown to love it. It really is a workhorse and has never let me down up till now. Fingers crossed someone can help me.
To be really unhelpful, yes I have come across this problem before but it was a quite a few years ago and I really can't remember what the cause was
What year is the GV? If its the later models (RT?) they had recalls for the module the key "plugs into" for similar reasons to this.
Hi, thanks for the responses. Its 2002 3.3 petrol. I took it to a friend of a friend this morning (it always starts in the morning or after a long break) turned it off when I got there waited 10 mins, it wouldn't start. He checked all the connections that he could get to and I removed negative terminal for 20 mins but it would not start, it usually does. So he undid a few connectors and cleaned with a spray, still nothing, someone mentioned crankshaft and camshaft sensors so had a look at the camshaft sensor because he couldn't get to the crankshaft sensor. Disconnected camshaft sensor and cleaned, put back. Whilst he was at it he checked the ecu, tried to remove plug but couldn't get to the bolt underneath. Anyway long story short, put everything back and tried again, hey presto car started. I drove it back home (about 15 miles) no problems. Left it for 20 mins went out to start and lo and behold it started, it is the first time it has done this. The friend of a friend is coming round tonight to remove the camshaft sensor whilst the engine is running to see if that throws any light on things. Didn't want to do it at his place in case we couldn't get it started again. I'm hoping it is going to be the sensor as its an easy enough fix by the looks of it, fingers crossed. I'm going to keep trying to see if it starts throughout the day to see what happens.
Big7 said:
Hi, thanks for the responses. Its 2002 3.3 petrol. I took it to a friend of a friend this morning (it always starts in the morning or after a long break) turned it off when I got there waited 10 mins, it wouldn't start. He checked all the connections that he could get to and I removed negative terminal for 20 mins but it would not start, it usually does. So he undid a few connectors and cleaned with a spray, still nothing, someone mentioned crankshaft and camshaft sensors so had a look at the camshaft sensor because he couldn't get to the crankshaft sensor. Disconnected camshaft sensor and cleaned, put back. Whilst he was at it he checked the ecu, tried to remove plug but couldn't get to the bolt underneath. Anyway long story short, put everything back and tried again, hey presto car started. I drove it back home (about 15 miles) no problems. Left it for 20 mins went out to start and lo and behold it started, it is the first time it has done this. The friend of a friend is coming round tonight to remove the camshaft sensor whilst the engine is running to see if that throws any light on things. Didn't want to do it at his place in case we couldn't get it started again. I'm hoping it is going to be the sensor as its an easy enough fix by the looks of it, fingers crossed. I'm going to keep trying to see if it starts throughout the day to see what happens.
Okay so it's an RG model, like the other guy said it would be worth getting the codes read out of it but that's probably a main dealer job as you'd need a DRB3 (Chryslers diagnostic computer) to read all systems. The more you pull of the more codes your going to get though.When you say it wouldn't start earlier are we talking crank but no fire or no crank?
chryslerben said:
Okay so it's an RG model, like the other guy said it would be worth getting the codes read out of it but that's probably a main dealer job as you'd need a DRB3 (Chryslers diagnostic computer) to read all systems. The more you pull of the more codes your going to get though.
When you say it wouldn't start earlier are we talking crank but no fire or no crank?
Nothing. Turned key no crank, just clicking from the fuse/relay box.When you say it wouldn't start earlier are we talking crank but no fire or no crank?
Big7 said:
Nothing. Turned key no crank, just clicking from the fuse/relay box.
OK first thing to do is check your 12v feed to the starter, then when the keys held over to start an additional 12v is feed to the starter solenoid if no to either then I'll need some more info of you. If both are present then your starters knackered Ok. Have used the car a couple of times since messing with the camshaft sensor. I went to my local supermarket because up till today that journey always ends up with me having to disconnect neg terminal in order for me to get home, not today, it started ok. Have been popping outside every 40 mins or so to try it and it is starting every time. Jay, the friend of a friend is coming over at about 6 to have a more in depth look. Will update later.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Update: checked starter as Chryslerben suggested, all good. Unplugged the cam sensors as we did earlier but a bit more involved when cleaning. Also cleaned as best we could the visible earth straps, bit difficult as they were "Stamped on" rather than bolted/screwed on. Everything seems to be back to normal, have taken the car out for some short and long runs this evening, no problems getting started. Could it of just been the sensors getting clogged up/dirty and the cleaning has sorted them ? I hope so. The next few days will be the proof I suppose. I will keep the thread updated as to what happens in the coming days/weeks. Thanks for the help and advice, it really is appreciated.
Big7 said:
Update: checked starter as Chryslerben suggested, all good. Unplugged the cam sensors as we did earlier but a bit more involved when cleaning. Also cleaned as best we could the visible earth straps, bit difficult as they were "Stamped on" rather than bolted/screwed on. Everything seems to be back to normal, have taken the car out for some short and long runs this evening, no problems getting started. Could it of just been the sensors getting clogged up/dirty and the cleaning has sorted them ? I hope so. The next few days will be the proof I suppose. I will keep the thread updated as to what happens in the coming days/weeks. Thanks for the help and advice, it really is appreciated.
No, your starter not cranking problem couldn't be caused by clogged up/dirty or faulty sensors, the starter motor does not rely on sensors to make it workAs another poster has earlier pointed out, you need to check the voltages at the starter motor when it isn't working correctly so as to be able to find what is causing the starter motor to not turn the engine over
Alpha Omega said:
No, your starter not cranking problem couldn't be caused by clogged up/dirty or faulty sensors, the starter motor does not rely on sensors to make it work
As another poster has earlier pointed out, you need to check the voltages at the starter motor when it isn't working correctly so as to be able to find what is causing the starter motor to not turn the engine over
OK, will do that if and when it happens again. I have been on a few errands today and it is running faultlessly again. It must of been a rusty or dirty or loose earthstrap that was stopping the starter cranking in that case, thanks for input its much appreciated. Now to try and find out why the power tailgate won't operate. These buses keep you busy.As another poster has earlier pointed out, you need to check the voltages at the starter motor when it isn't working correctly so as to be able to find what is causing the starter motor to not turn the engine over
We had the same problem with our version with the 2.7CRD engine. after being at the dealers several times and checking for fault codes that never appeared, all sensors were checked, battery earth straps checked..... it turned out to be the battery!
Ours used the Red Top dry cell version which really is only sold in the States. No other battery fitted and I was forced to spend close to £300 for a new on which cured the problem. No longer have the vehicle now .
Ours used the Red Top dry cell version which really is only sold in the States. No other battery fitted and I was forced to spend close to £300 for a new on which cured the problem. No longer have the vehicle now .
I'm having similar problems and am at my wits end. It's a 2004 2.5 diesel. Started having problems trying too start Turn key, all lights go nuts, then nothing,no turning over or anything. When it *does* start, it runs lovely. Drive to ton pop to post office or petrol station, get it, turn key and nothing. It's embarrassing to clog up a petrol station because you can get the car started. If I sit for long enough, it sometimes starts again, then runs fine, unless I do any distance, where it cuts out. I've had a new starter motor put in, then a new battery, then the filters were changed and still I'm having problems and am wondering whether to throw any more money at it. It's my first American vehicle and I like the size (have a donkey sized dog and need space behind his seat to fit bales of hay and sacks of feed. I like the comfort (I have a spinal curvature so a big sofa like seat is a must), I like the sliding rear door. It tows like a dream no matter how heavy the load on the trailer. But I can't be doing with a car which cuts out and could leave me stranded miles away from home with no means of getting back.
I have googled and googled and it seems that this is a Chrysler voyager 'thing' and the solutions and causes have been many and varied with no one thing seeming to fix it. I could weep with frustration, not least because the scrap value is only £150 and I have no more money to buy a different vehicle, even if I could find the equivalent in a different marque.I'm at a complete loss now as an older woman with a disability, lots of animals and living rural so, no way to get to the shop, doctor, vets or feed store without a vehicle.
Could anyone suggest a fix? If not, could anyone suggest an alternative, preferable Citroen or Peugeot because I've driven them all my life and never had a problem. In fact, my old Peugeot 4 series diesel estates , had to be beaten to death with a stick because they would keep going and going and going. However, the dog is too tall for the Pug estates.
I have googled and googled and it seems that this is a Chrysler voyager 'thing' and the solutions and causes have been many and varied with no one thing seeming to fix it. I could weep with frustration, not least because the scrap value is only £150 and I have no more money to buy a different vehicle, even if I could find the equivalent in a different marque.I'm at a complete loss now as an older woman with a disability, lots of animals and living rural so, no way to get to the shop, doctor, vets or feed store without a vehicle.
Could anyone suggest a fix? If not, could anyone suggest an alternative, preferable Citroen or Peugeot because I've driven them all my life and never had a problem. In fact, my old Peugeot 4 series diesel estates , had to be beaten to death with a stick because they would keep going and going and going. However, the dog is too tall for the Pug estates.
From what you say, my first port of call would be the ignition switch, which can be checked when the fault is present rather than just to change it.
Alternatively, it could be a dodgy connection at the battery or main fuse box.
If you seek an alternative, from PSA, why not their MPV offering, which although not quite as big as the GV they aren't that much smaller.
Alternatively, it could be a dodgy connection at the battery or main fuse box.
If you seek an alternative, from PSA, why not their MPV offering, which although not quite as big as the GV they aren't that much smaller.
After approx 18 months of trouble free motoring the cutting out and starting problems have reappeared. Really doing my head in. Exactly the same thing as before. Can anybody through any light on this. Have checked all the fuses, relays, earths etc as before and found no faults. How can something like this happen ?
Pt1977 said:
Hi all, having the same problem. Intermittent start all electrics seem to be lighting fine. When trying starting a very tiny click and nothing. Have jumpstarted several times and been ok until today, new battery but still nothing.any help very much appreciated. Phil
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