I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan with 145,000 miles on it. I disconnect the battery cables from the battery and attach them to each other overnight. When I reattach them to the battery in the morning the car starts and runs all day, perfectly. When the car sits overnight, in the morning it will start and run for a few seconds and cut off. I have replaced the PCM, TIPM, instrument cluster and mass air flow sensor. A week ago I unattached the instrument cluster. The car started properly everyday. I ordered a cluster on EBAY. I thought I solved the problem. I installed it last night with high hopes. I woke up at 4:30 this morning hoping….same problem, it started then cut off in a few seconds. PLEASE HELP!
When I hit the key to open the door….if the door unlocks it starts, if the car door does not unlock it will start, run for a few seconds and cut off.
I was told disconnecting the battery cables resets the computer from error codes it received.
does it have error codes? If it does, you need to find out what they are, not erase them. They were designed to help you fix problems.
Why are you disconnecting the battery cables and connecting them together each night?
In any event, loading up the parts cannon obviously did not work. (It almost never does.) Time for some diagnostics.
Those vehicles are infamous for electrical problems. Check the basics. I'd load-test the battery and alternator, and check all the grounds. Go after low-hanging fruit like filters, spark plugs, and fuel pressure. (Does the engine stall out due to the fuel pump cutting out? Or is it the ignition?) Possibly recording data for analysis during the few seconds the engine runs might give some hints as to what's going on.
I was told disconnecting the battery cables resets the computer from error codes it received. The car runs perfectly when it starts and stays on. The check engine light does not come on when it starts. I will check the filters and change the spark plugs. I took this car to two different shops and the Dodge dealer had it for 3 months and could not fix it. I'm not a mechanic, just trying stuff before sending it to the junk yard.
For diagnostic purposes though if you keep resetting the computer then any error codes that might help figure out the problem will be erased. These kind of electrical problems can be very difficult to solve and can require professional tools and knowledge, but as I mentioned there are some relatively easy things that can be checked before going there.
I checked the air filter. When I pulled the air filter out there were particles and leaf parts under the filter. There are two clips that secure the top. One of the clips won't stay on and it leaves a gap for air and dirt to get in there. I tried to get it that side down flat so the clip would work but no luck. It is as if the top is warped and won't stay flush. Can this be part of the problem?
Probably not unless there is enough debris to seriously restrict airflow.
This car project is more than I'm capable of diagnosing and fixing. I just don't understand how sitting in the driveway overnight can cause this car to start and cut off. How can everything electrical work perfectly all day. The car starts, stops, restarts runs all day for errands and sits overnight and starts then cuts off. It seems like it should point to something obvious.
As I said those vehicles, and Chrysler products in general, are known for electrical problems. You have a complex network of computer modules in there that doesn't lend itself well to simple, obvious problems or much in the way of troubleshooting at home. That's just the way it is with modern computer-controlled vehicles.
it will start and run for a few seconds and cut off. I
sounds like fuel starvation. Check your pump pressure.
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