Old time DIY new to Forum
 

Hello everyone,
New to the forum but have been a shade tree machanic fro years in places from Bermuda to Adak Alaska. Am now in Wisconsin and having problems with my 2000 T&C.

Vehicle: 2000 Chrysler Town and Country Limited. Original owner.
Engine: V-6 3.8L
Miles: 206,452

Problem: Engine will crank and fire 2 to 3 times then shut down and only crank unless I turn the key off and try to start again then fires 2 to 3 times and shuts down. Engine will not fire up and stay running.

Symptoms: The van has been experiencing a lack of power and a reduction in MPG. Down to 18 – 19mpg from mid-20’s. The oil pressure was in the low acceptable range. The serpentine belt began to whine so I replaced it. After the whine was gone you could hear a “worble” sound.

History: I took the belt back off and started the van in effort to discover if the “worble” was coming from any of the accessory equipment. The “worble” sound was still present which to me indicated a possible timing chain or oil pump issue. Upon investigation I found the timing chain had approx. 1.25’ total play from side to side on the rear portion of the chain. The oil pump was also out of tolerance. I replaced the timing chain complete with cam and crank sprockets and the oil pump. I made sure to line up the TDC arrows on both cam and crank sprockets as well as installing the chain so the colored links are in line with the dots at 3 o’clock on each sprocket. Since I was doing this work I also replaced the cam shaft position sensor, water pump, tensioner pulley and idle pulley.
Now the van will not start.

What I have investigated:
Battery is fully charged and at 12.4 volts.
Battery terminals are tight, clean and corrosion free.
Checked the wiring harness as best I could for chaffing and/or breaks.
Checked all electrical connections and grounds
The fuel injectors are grounded.
The ASD relay is good.
Fuel pump is working and fuel rail is pressurized.
All fuses are ok.
The cam shaft position sensor is good. It is getting power and signals 5v
The coil pack test out at 12,500 ohms across the contacts on the secondary side and .9 to 1 ohm on the primary side.
Cylinder compression for cylinders 2, 4, and 6 is 185, 180, 190 psi.

Question:
The coil pack resistance is out of tolerance on the primary side by approximately 0.3 ohms. Is this enough to cause the PCM to trigger the ASD? If so why is it doing it now when the van started right up and ran before doing this work?