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Very frustrating issue occurring with my 99 dodge caravan, 3.3L automatic: as soon as the outside temp dropped down to about -10C in November, the van refused to start. It turns over and over and over, but will not start. Gas supply is good, spark is good (replaced coil pack). When the weather was warmer, it started and ran fine. I’ve noodled around on Dodge forums, and found it to be a common problem (not necessarily during cold weather) but no one seems to have come up with a solution. Any members had and solved this issue? Any suggestions, anyone? Please!!!
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Appreciate the note, johnbkobb, and I will double check the connections ….however, I don’t think corroded connections would be any more conductive when warm, than they are when cold. But I’m open to any reasonable suggestion.
Thanks, College Man …I have checked the spark when it is cold, and in NO START mode, and there is spark at the plugs. However, that being said, I will try a start test with the coil pack isolated from the top of the engine so that it is not getting heat transfer from the block heater …could be an intermittent situation.
I can’t remember if we’ve covered the basics on this one like tune up items and checking for vacuum leaks. If we haven’t perhaps it’s time to check the basics. So often overlooked but so important in diagnosis.
Okay ….problem solved! Temperature is still in the minus range ….-21C overnite and up to minus 7C today. So, I put in a new Crank Position Sensor this evening (outside temp was -7C) …and, with the engine having sat for two weeks, NOT plugged in with the block heater, and only having had the battery on the charger for 6 hours …and the engine fired right up! No hesitation at all.
So…it appears that all along, the problem has been the Crank Position Sensor which was not working at colder temps, but WOULD work when the engine block was warmed up with the blocker heater. Not sure if it was a combination of the Coolant Temp Sensor (which was replaced earlier with a new one), the ignition coil (which I replaced with a known-good used one)…AND the CPS …or if it was just the CPS.
Very excited!!!
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