Pr0ph3t

Ok, so my familys big car won't start. We were just headin out the door to church, and we get in, and it just won't start at all.

It's a 1997 Chrysler Town & Country LX minivan. Here's how I can explain the problem: We have the keys in, turn it to start, the engine kinda starts up, but then dies straight away. At first we figure it could be gas, so we put some in, but to no avail. Weird thing is, none of the guages jump up at start like they should. I really dunno what the problem could be, and my dad is pretty pissed. Any ideas?

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-Nick

Grangalan

Low/Dead battery
shot distributor
Alternator blew

so many other problems that it could be, but best bet, check those first

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Rebel Yell

Atleast you don't have to go to church

It wouldn't be a battery problem if it starts up for a little then dies.

Has it been running a little funny lately?

Pr0ph3t

Yeah I ruled out battery because it starts up for at least a little but, but then decides to die.

It hasn't been acting weird, in fact, last night it drove just fine to get to the grocery store, so I can't imagine what's stopping it.

I called my uncle, who is a mechanic and he gave me a few ideas...check fuel pump/filter, something with the injection...but I figured I could also turn to yall.

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-Nick

Rebel Yell

Definetly check the fuel filter. It could also be the pump, but that's a lot harder to test. My guess is you got some type of fuel or fuel pressure problem.

Is there anyone someone could have gotten in your garage, and messed with the car?

Pr0ph3t

Maybe, but I mean, my mom has like supersonic hearing...she definately would have heard someone tinkering in the garage...but that's a possibility.

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-Nick

Rebel Yell

Ok easy things you can check right now:

1. Fuel filter
2. Check all spark plug leads (wires), make sure they are snugly connected on both ends
3. You say that it's possible someone could have messed with the car, so just check for oddball things. The only reason I ask is cause cars don't normally run well one day then just don't start the next. So maybe check to see if someone stuffed something in the exhaust pipe. Just stuff like that.

I'm no car mechanic, but those are just a few of my suggestions.

SWATORNOT

The vehicle would be an Electonic igniton so no distrubitor. Is there a battery light that comes on while it runs?

If so then its low battery.
If not

Then your looking for a clogged fuel filter or a faulty pump. Possibly even a clogged intake, not often does that happen but it does.

A clogged fuel filter can happen just from stopping at a store for a short bit. something in the tank brakes loose and builds up on the screen in the filter. If you have any shop tools check the engine for the fuel rail, your going to see what looks like an air fitting. Unscrew the cap and depress the nipple, have a shop towel or something around to soak up the gas.

If the gas sprays out once good, turn the key (dont start) and shut if off, releive the fuel pressure again. If the spray gets weaker drastically or just runs out your filter is plugger or bad pump

Rebel Yell

^ [Billy Madison voice]He's good[/Billy Madison voice]

Pr0ph3t

Thanks fellas, off to try these things.

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-Nick

Pr0ph3t

Well guys, thanks for the help, but $3.18 later I fixed it with my dad.

We figured it was an electrical problem since all the guages weren't jumping or anything, but we didn't know what. So, we took everything off the battery and just let it chill for a while while we did nothing. We went to Advanced Auto Parts to just get some new bolts for the battery terminals, and when we came back, put them on, the car started. We went for a couple drives, and the car works like a dream. God damn batteries.

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-Nick

Z PYRO

yeah my dad has a Grand Caravan, which is basically the same thing, and his battery cables were so corroded that, when I went to take them off of the posts on the batt, they just broke right off. the connection was so bad that you'd have to try to turn the car on like 20 times for it to finally start. make sure you keep that thing clean

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Rebel Yell

Baking soda mixed with water neutralizes all that corrosion crap.

Here's a good site that goes into detail on cleaning your car battery:

http://www.csaa.com/global/articlede...7C1804,00.html

Z PYRO

yeah, but only if you do it consistently. i can't remember the last time he cleaned it. but i had to go get a new batt. cable, as well as a new battery. most people don't know that all that acid buildup on top of the battery conducts electricty, which will slowly kill your battery.

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Pr0ph3t

I just use coke to clean it off..it takes it right off. It's probably bad for my battery, lol

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-Nick

Rebel Yell

No, I was told that coke works just fine. Just don't get it on your paint.