HELP Town & Country wont start 3.8l
 

Hey guys I'm new here and have a 2000 town and country with the 3.8l engine. I was at a stop sign and the van just turned off and wont start again. I have changed the crank and cam sensors. I also replaced the fuel pump and filter back in May. I have spark and fuel to the rail but I haven't got the actual PSI yet. I know when I turn it over fuel shoots out of the valve on the fuel rail. Was wondering what it could be? I have sprayed starting fluid in the throttle body and she doesnt do anything. My next thing is to just put a new fuel pump in and hope for the best.

Fuel shoots out of the valve on the fuel rail. Can you explain this more clearly. Is this the pressure bypass rail. And did you slacken this off for it to shoot out.

Yes I pushed the schrader valve down on the fuel rail where you test the fuel pressure. I am getting fuel, however I dont know if it is the right PSI, I just purchased a Fuel Pressure tester. Do you happen to know what the PSI is suppose to be? Im wondering if the fuel pump is just not creating enough pressure. I got it off EBAY for about $43.00 so this is why I am suspecting the pump now. You get what you pay for I guess.

55 psi codes in the computer?

Sticking Idle control valves cause shut downs but engine usually restarts. May be an answer there.

I just checked the fuel pressure and when you turn the key to to the on position it registers 30 psi. when you try to start it i get 50 psi and it just turns over. Im starting to wonder if it timing chain has jumped a gear tooth or more.

Unlikely unless it rattles alott. Fault code would come up relating to this.

Im really confused as to what it could be then. I have fuel and spark, air and it just doesnt want to start.

Your not squirting fuel then. Must be intake airflow sensor then. Is it a MAF on this.

Throttle position sensor on this as well. There's just loads of there's petrols dieing on the internet, loads of answers including the camchain jump and an adverse cutout relay whatever thats for. Your getting fuel pressure and a spark though so that helps. But people don't come back with the answers they or the garage found.

I'm not as familiar with petrols, but...

check you have compression
can you remove an injector from the head and check if fuel is being sprayed out?
I know you said you had spark, but I'd like to see a spark plug out and the spark on the plug.

not sure how you would check ignition timing on a modern petrol, I liked points and a distributor...you could see what was going on.

Richard

Im getting compression. when it turns over i open the throttle and can hear the compression happening. I have to check to see if the fuel injectors are spraying. I assume they are as i watch the fuel pressure relieve pretty quick. I also installed a inline spark checker and it lit up. Like i said no lights came on and none have come on since. Im really thinking it jumped timing. It has 248,000 miles and Im sure the other owner didnt have it serviced. Im just about done with it.

Regarding immobiliser, does the light for this go out on keying ignition. I'm not sure if pump still runs in this case.

You've not got toasted wires near exhast pipes I hope as that was last week.

U dont have a MAF on gas Chrysler a tps wont stop u from starting just idle issue. how are you checking for spark and still codes in the computer?

No codes in the computer and I have a inline spark plug tester. If it has spark it lights up. I have figured it out. My timing chain jumped like I thought. It has 247,000 and I believe it has the nylon gears for the timing chain. From what I saw it is worn out and so am I. I have put it up for sale, someone else can deal with it. I have invested to much time and money into it.