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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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 ?
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