The Chrysler Minivan Fan Club Forums banner

1992 3.0L Caravan SE, won't start (fuel?!)

9K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Luis Q 
#1 ·
Came home yesterday and parked the van. Came out today hopped in and it cranked just fine, just no start :-(.

Checked the spark, got spark from coil and to plugs.

With all the cranking, no smell of raw gas at the tailpipe.

No error codes read off the check engine light (Other than 55: end of diagnostics).

Suspect bad fuel pump.

Looked in the manual and it is in the gas tank(!) so I guess that lets me out of dealing with it myself. It is in a basement garage and has almost a full tank.

So, it looks like it goes to the shop (getting it there should be exciting).

Any ideas as to what I can expect this to cost?

Thanks & take care, Chris.
 
#2 ·
There's a number of things that could cause this, but since the computer isn't throwing a code, it most likely is the fuel pump.

If it IS the fuel pump, I remember reading something about pulling up the carpet in the rear and CAREFULLY cutting an access port through the floor that greatly simplifies the fuel pump replacement process, now and in the future. You'd then fabricate a cover that you attach with a few sheet metal screws and some sort of gasket under it.

This procedure was for the 1st-gens, but I'm pretty sure it's applicable to the 2nd-gens as well. Someone can probably provide measurements so you know exactly where to cut, and how big. Be careful cutting the hole, since the gas tank IS right under it.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply! Would love to give that a go.

Problem is that I don't have any place to work on it. The basement here screwing around with 20 gals of gas (of course it would happen just after fillup :) ) with all the buildings electrical stuff down there it sounds like a great way to understand a fuel-air explosion from the inside. Not to mention management having heart failure to see anyone with so much as a screwdriver down there.

Called our mechanic, he can't get to it until middle of next week as he is buried at the moment.

I suspect it is going to be a shock...
 
#8 ·
Also notice, in that DodgeTalk article, the guy was talking about removing the tank first and taking far away from the work area.

Yes, it can be done, other car forums have discussions on the same topic. However, anything that COULD generate any sparks in the vicinity of a gas tank (full of fuel or, worse, full of fumes) is not a good idea. Either figure out a way to drop the tank, or have a professional do it.
 
#9 ·
Fuse????

Several people have asked if I checked the fuse. Makes sense, we got electrical stuff in the fuel tank, it would be fused, right?

Looked in every manual I have (including the Dodge Shop Manual) and nothing points to a fuel pump fuse?!?

Am I just missing something or is there no fuse on this thing!?!?

Thanks much in advance.
 
#10 ·
Have you replaced the fuel filter? It would really suck to drop the tank or pay to have the tank dropped when it was just the fuel filter. You can check the filter by removing it and turning the ignition on to see if you get fuel. Two warnings I give you, one is that removing the filter you might get sprayed because the fuel might be under pressure. Two is that IF the pump is working, it's going to spray fuel when you turn the key on. You should have someone in the driver's seat turning the key as you watch. Also, you'll probably need to buy tank straps, bolts and the recepticles or anchor nuts (the clips the bolts thread in to). When I changed mine, I had to cut my straps because the hardware was rusty and I snapped one of the clips. Had to use vise grips once the tank was clear. I used regular nuts with lock washers and a wrench when I put the tank up. I agree with IDKANYTHING, do the job right. You only get one shot at cutting the floor right and not hitting the tank. With a floor jack, a piece of wood (prefferably a 1X8 the width of the tank), and some tin snips you could have the tank down in 5 minutes. Oh by the way, there might be a check ball at the bottom of the filler so siphoning the tank through the filler is out.
 
#11 ·
Hello,
Did you check the relay? I had one of these go bad and could very well be the culprit. Just to make sure it's the fuel pump, have someone start the van and bang on the tank with your hand or a rubber mallet. Usually fuel pumps give some sort of sign (most of the time) the van might stall once in awhile. Good luck, I hope it works out for you,
Frank
 
#12 ·
Usually fuel pumps give some sort of sign (most of the time) the van might stall once in awhile.
Mine stalled twice (maybe three times, but I'm not 100% sure) and then just died. Luckily it died the day I bought my Yukon. I payed for the truck, pushed the van into a parking spot, and rented a tow dolly to drag the van home!!!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top