First of all, my husband and I follow you and love listening to your youtube channel!! Hate to see youre not in clarksville now!! We have an issue with my mom's van and I know you will know what to do!
My mom says:
2012 Chrysler Town and Country
Issue: intermittent refusal to start.
Will turn over, but not actually start. Took to mechanic, they kept it and drove it for 6 days and couldn't replicate the problem. I'm afraid to drive anywhere because it just randomly refuses to start. We tried checking fuses, and installing some kind of relay part (TIPM plug - in relay system LITE bypass faulty fuel pump relays) that was seen as a fix to the issue- but was unsuccessful. It's like starting something that tries to turn over but has no fuel. However, mechanic said he sees no issues."
So, we can't figure this one out! Any help is appreciated greatly!
Thank you!!!
That sounds like a failing fuel pump. When it refuses to start, can you hear the fuel pump running for 2 seconds when you turn the key to the ON position?
Hi jack -
Just posted a reply below, I'm pretty sure my 09 Caravan SXT has the same issue. I'd have to say it's unlikely to be a failing fuel pump, as mine's been doing this for about three years now, and in between these VERY intermittent incidents, it's run for thousands of miles without a hiccup. And in all that time, wouldn't it have set a code at some point? I've never had anything set due to this at all. (But of course being a Chrysler product anything's possible.)
Same problem with my 2009 (Caravan SXT 4.0, very similar to T&C). Sorry I don't have the solution for you.
In my case, it's not so much an engine that's cranking with no fuel, as the engine kind of "thuunks" roughly twice a second when you turn the key - sounds like it's not cranking at all. Turn off the key, wait a few seconds, most of the time it starts, every once in a while it will do it again, but starts the third time. Does that sound like yours, or are you sure actually it's cranking over?
Not surprised your mechanic couldn't reproduce it. The problem is VERY intermittent! Happens maybe once every three weeks or so. Also, it doesn't set any codes.
And --- every three months or so, turn the key and NOTHING happens. In that case, I turn the key to "On", press the brake, and move the shifter up and down through its range a couple of times. That gets it to start. Which makes me wonder if there aren't two problems - one in the starting system and one in the shifter's safety switch mechanism.
If I make any progress with this, I'll post again. Good luck!
Carla -
Here's a YT video where a T&C will crank but not start. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0eG6VaDtJg
So I'd call that sound actual cranking. Is that what yours sounds like?
This sound is different than mine, because with mine you can hear the individual "thunks", as opposed to that one fairly-continuous cranking sound.
The person who posted the video said his solution was to change the fuel pump relay. Since you said that didn't work in your case, it lends credence to the idea that our two cars have the same issue.