Did you have to reprogram the ECM? I’ve been helping a friend with his 2001
Dodge Grand Caravan. It has a design flaw; the wiring harness for the fuel
injectors is too close to the engine. The insulation on several wires
melted and touched. I’m wondering if the wires touching damaged the ECM.
And does the ECM really need to be reprogrammed or is that just a myth the
mechanics use so they can charge more money? Does anyone know? Buehler,
Buehler, anyone?
I’m having the same trouble! I tested the starter operation by simply
jumping sockets 30 and 87. Starter turns. Now I just have to figure out why
the relay isn’t getting a signal from the switch. Accessory relay operates
but the starter relay won’t close. (I did swap the two to rule out a bad
relay.) I’ll check some of the connections at the ECM. Thanks!
Doorslamer1 Thank you for you video!!! My 2003 Dodge Caravan with 80,000
miles had intermittent starting problems. I followed your directions and it
was a bad ECM. The auto supply did not stock the one I have so I had it
rebuilt at Auto ECM Electronics in Grand Prairie, Texas. Put it back on and
car has started every time so far.
I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan that starts but once I try to drive it and
turns off. I changed the spark plugs and gas filter and still no luck. Any
suggestions?
I’m dealing with this issue on my Wife’s van and this video has been a huge
help. Thanks for the troubleshooting tips and the thorough details. Great
job!
Easier way to test for this exact problem wld b to jump the relay should
crank. If it does now unplug the tps sensor an check for a 5 volt ref. If
no ref. voltage, to eliminate a lot of time checking for short to ground u
can clip the 5 & 8 volt reference wires a few inches from the pcm and
recheck if no voltage right out of pcm then u need a pcm if the voltage
returns then u have a short to ground. This is very common on chrysler vans.
@dynoegg Thanks for the prompt reply, I understand . My mother’s caravan is
experiencing intermittent starting problems where when happens, starter
does not engage. That’s why I’m digging into the details so I can help her
troublshoot asap. Thanks for the video and I’m glad you were able to
pinpoint your ECM and resolve your starting issue. Thanks.
PLEASE help! I have a 2003 dodge grand caravan in the shop right now. They
are going to charge me $2000.00 to replace the PCM, the front module and
some other module. Does the sound right? Please help me before I go through
with this. Thanks so much!
P.C.M. is a common problem on these vans! Mine went out and I lost trigger
to the alternator so it wouldn’t charge. (The P.C.M. is the voltage
regulator.) Why they would put a computer in an engine compartment is
beyond me. Last time I checked computers don’t like heat and water and salt.
I have a 01 dodge caravan it just stalled after I got gas and now if it
starts it run for about 3-4 seconds and stalls.. If you push the gas it
will die instantly.. Anyone have any answers??
I thought you did a nice job, but next time leave the music out. Way too
distracting and had to back up several times to hear what you were saying
between guitar plucks. Keep it simple! Nice work
You rock! Thanks for all the diag. recommendations. I felt more confident
buy a new comp. I ended up getting a “refurb” Cardone from @mazon for $185.
I popped the cover off the computer to take a look at their refurb work,
kind of a joke in my opinion. I’m guessing all they did was find a
functional unit from a junkyard and fixed some broken pins on the connector
and didn’t even re-silicone. Was hoping they replaced the e-caps. Rock@uto
has a reburb service if you have time, cheaper too.
@dynoegg: When your car did not start while the failed ECM was still in,
did you hear the starter relay click/activate when you turned the key to
start position? The reason I’m asking is I believe the ECM pin 31 provides
the grounding path to the starter relay pin 85. PCM provides the ground
path if double start safety and neutral safety are satisfied. If correct
and failed PCM is still connected, you should Not hear the starter relay
click when you turn the key ignition? Can you confirm? Thx
we appreciate the help bud,but in the future can you leave the music out.
its very distracting and is louder then your voice at times.thanx again for
the info buddy
yeah guitar has to go. I’m a musician myself, i just can’t hear what you’re
saying guitar is so distracting, kind of depressing, makes me want to just
hit my car with a hammer instead of fix it. I’m so pissed, i’m out of work
because of this van.
I have been having the same problem, but took my van to dealer and got
robbed out of $900 and ended being told it was the computer at the end and
I would need to replace it. Turns out that it cost about the same as I
initially paid them. I took it to another mechanic and he changed it, but
put in another computer and kept my original, now I need the exact OEM to
get it fixed but don’t even have the number to it. Do you happen to have
the part number that they ask for to see if they have it?
I thought the visuals and your communication enhanced video. I liked the
still shots with the titles on the parts an pin connections. What allowed
you to eliminate the starter being bad. I understand you have continuity
but the starter could have been bad. Right?
Thanks for the video… Really helped diagnose our problem. I keep hearing
that the ‘system needs to be reprogrammed’ when you replace the ECM… Do
you know anything about this?
Help. I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan and the mechanic that put in a used
computer 5 days ago didn’t know how to start up the van today. Could you
refer me to a mechanic here in the SF bay area who could help me. I love
your video, I am not confident I can fix it the way you so easily show us
how to on the video. I’m must a mommy of 3 who can’t figure out all that.
Help 🙂 Thanks
I would like to say that this video was very helpful.But I do have to agree
about the guitar being distracting.My van was running fine yesterday and
this morning it wouldn’t start.So as of right now it’s still not fixed.I
hope I can find someone to check my starter tomorrow so I don’t have to
waist money I don’t have.
my van done same thing, I have no power to striped wire when key is turned
as i had my test light grounded to the battery and probe inserted into the
yellow wire. The relay clicks as i turn ignition to on, is this the same
problem you had?
Well I switched out the starter already. It is partly why I did this video
because I could not figure out why I still had the problem. You can take it
to an auto parts place and they will test it (of course, right).
Freakin Genius! These so-called quack a** ASE certified mechanics around my
way didn’t even do a continuity test!! I know when they lied to me, and
they didn’t even know I knew. I deal with computers daily and have been for
over 15 years. They should’ve checked! Your video was very informative.
Thanks a million. We kept replacing the TPS, but something is burning it
out. These quakes can’t even tell me what common sense could. Thanks again
man!
LOSE THE MUSIC. Very difficult to understand on computer speakers what
you’re saying. Overall, volume was too low through laptop speakers, and
didn’t have earphones, so this didn’t help me, other than to locate certain
parts.
){kind=link}
Did you have to reprogram the ECM? I’ve been helping a friend with his 2001
Dodge Grand Caravan. It has a design flaw; the wiring harness for the fuel
injectors is too close to the engine. The insulation on several wires
melted and touched. I’m wondering if the wires touching damaged the ECM.
And does the ECM really need to be reprogrammed or is that just a myth the
mechanics use so they can charge more money? Does anyone know? Buehler,
Buehler, anyone?
did u have to get it reprogramed also?
Same issue. Like you was very frustrated chasing the problem. Replaced the
starter too. Just ordered the replacement. If it works you are the hero!
I’m having the same trouble! I tested the starter operation by simply
jumping sockets 30 and 87. Starter turns. Now I just have to figure out why
the relay isn’t getting a signal from the switch. Accessory relay operates
but the starter relay won’t close. (I did swap the two to rule out a bad
relay.) I’ll check some of the connections at the ECM. Thanks!
Doorslamer1 Thank you for you video!!! My 2003 Dodge Caravan with 80,000
miles had intermittent starting problems. I followed your directions and it
was a bad ECM. The auto supply did not stock the one I have so I had it
rebuilt at Auto ECM Electronics in Grand Prairie, Texas. Put it back on and
car has started every time so far.
sorry but the pedo intro scared the crap out of me and I am just going to
sell my van now, thanks anyway.
I hope the pin information will be helpful, I’m having wiring problem after
lots of rain water got into the hood
I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan that starts but once I try to drive it and
turns off. I changed the spark plugs and gas filter and still no luck. Any
suggestions?
man i’m heaving the same problem but in this time the car stars not all the
time but starts but it dies
I TOTALLY AGREE
I’m dealing with this issue on my Wife’s van and this video has been a huge
help. Thanks for the troubleshooting tips and the thorough details. Great
job!
Oh, by the way, the music was nice. It relaxed me enough to want to
concentrate.
Easier way to test for this exact problem wld b to jump the relay should
crank. If it does now unplug the tps sensor an check for a 5 volt ref. If
no ref. voltage, to eliminate a lot of time checking for short to ground u
can clip the 5 & 8 volt reference wires a few inches from the pcm and
recheck if no voltage right out of pcm then u need a pcm if the voltage
returns then u have a short to ground. This is very common on chrysler vans.
@Anjab Ankien Thank you 🙂
Thanks a bunch. We’re going through this now.
Thank you
@dynoegg Thanks for the prompt reply, I understand . My mother’s caravan is
experiencing intermittent starting problems where when happens, starter
does not engage. That’s why I’m digging into the details so I can help her
troublshoot asap. Thanks for the video and I’m glad you were able to
pinpoint your ECM and resolve your starting issue. Thanks.
PLEASE help! I have a 2003 dodge grand caravan in the shop right now. They
are going to charge me $2000.00 to replace the PCM, the front module and
some other module. Does the sound right? Please help me before I go through
with this. Thanks so much!
P.C.M. is a common problem on these vans! Mine went out and I lost trigger
to the alternator so it wouldn’t charge. (The P.C.M. is the voltage
regulator.) Why they would put a computer in an engine compartment is
beyond me. Last time I checked computers don’t like heat and water and salt.
I have a 01 dodge caravan it just stalled after I got gas and now if it
starts it run for about 3-4 seconds and stalls.. If you push the gas it
will die instantly.. Anyone have any answers??
I have tried auto zone, advanced auto, and van senus. No one has the PCM.
Where do i buy it?
I thought you did a nice job, but next time leave the music out. Way too
distracting and had to back up several times to hear what you were saying
between guitar plucks. Keep it simple! Nice work
You rock! Thanks for all the diag. recommendations. I felt more confident
buy a new comp. I ended up getting a “refurb” Cardone from @mazon for $185.
I popped the cover off the computer to take a look at their refurb work,
kind of a joke in my opinion. I’m guessing all they did was find a
functional unit from a junkyard and fixed some broken pins on the connector
and didn’t even re-silicone. Was hoping they replaced the e-caps. Rock@uto
has a reburb service if you have time, cheaper too.
@dynoegg: When your car did not start while the failed ECM was still in,
did you hear the starter relay click/activate when you turned the key to
start position? The reason I’m asking is I believe the ECM pin 31 provides
the grounding path to the starter relay pin 85. PCM provides the ground
path if double start safety and neutral safety are satisfied. If correct
and failed PCM is still connected, you should Not hear the starter relay
click when you turn the key ignition? Can you confirm? Thx
yes everything came out fine
Does the ECM has to be grounded?
With the money you can get a minivan
we appreciate the help bud,but in the future can you leave the music out.
its very distracting and is louder then your voice at times.thanx again for
the info buddy
yeah guitar has to go. I’m a musician myself, i just can’t hear what you’re
saying guitar is so distracting, kind of depressing, makes me want to just
hit my car with a hammer instead of fix it. I’m so pissed, i’m out of work
because of this van.
where is speed control
I have been having the same problem, but took my van to dealer and got
robbed out of $900 and ended being told it was the computer at the end and
I would need to replace it. Turns out that it cost about the same as I
initially paid them. I took it to another mechanic and he changed it, but
put in another computer and kept my original, now I need the exact OEM to
get it fixed but don’t even have the number to it. Do you happen to have
the part number that they ask for to see if they have it?
like this for sure cause i was going to change the tc range sensor in the
transmission
@onexdata Glad it helped 🙂
Great video! Saved me a lot of trouble and time. THANKS
I thought the visuals and your communication enhanced video. I liked the
still shots with the titles on the parts an pin connections. What allowed
you to eliminate the starter being bad. I understand you have continuity
but the starter could have been bad. Right?
the pin light thing you are using. where do i get this?
Thanks for the video… Really helped diagnose our problem. I keep hearing
that the ‘system needs to be reprogrammed’ when you replace the ECM… Do
you know anything about this?
Thank you again! You have been very helpful. My husband said that your
video is much better than a Chilton’s book.
Help. I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan and the mechanic that put in a used
computer 5 days ago didn’t know how to start up the van today. Could you
refer me to a mechanic here in the SF bay area who could help me. I love
your video, I am not confident I can fix it the way you so easily show us
how to on the video. I’m must a mommy of 3 who can’t figure out all that.
Help 🙂 Thanks
This is could be more complicated than it seems. It could be electrical or
mechanical or both. This should be check out by a pro.
thanks for the video ive got an 02 with start problems ill hopefully figure
it out
Thank You for posting this video ! My friend has the same vehicle that
wouldn’t start and I believe this is his problem as well.
I would like to say that this video was very helpful.But I do have to agree
about the guitar being distracting.My van was running fine yesterday and
this morning it wouldn’t start.So as of right now it’s still not fixed.I
hope I can find someone to check my starter tomorrow so I don’t have to
waist money I don’t have.
1997 chrysler voyager speedometer reading 20km at rest can some one tell me
how to reset this to 0km at rest asa please many thanks frank
my van done same thing, I have no power to striped wire when key is turned
as i had my test light grounded to the battery and probe inserted into the
yellow wire. The relay clicks as i turn ignition to on, is this the same
problem you had?
Well I switched out the starter already. It is partly why I did this video
because I could not figure out why I still had the problem. You can take it
to an auto parts place and they will test it (of course, right).
NICE job, you are the MAN!!! Very detailed. You make the world a better
place.
Freakin Genius! These so-called quack a** ASE certified mechanics around my
way didn’t even do a continuity test!! I know when they lied to me, and
they didn’t even know I knew. I deal with computers daily and have been for
over 15 years. They should’ve checked! Your video was very informative.
Thanks a million. We kept replacing the TPS, but something is burning it
out. These quakes can’t even tell me what common sense could. Thanks again
man!
LOSE THE MUSIC. Very difficult to understand on computer speakers what
you’re saying. Overall, volume was too low through laptop speakers, and
didn’t have earphones, so this didn’t help me, other than to locate certain
parts.