98 caravan wont start?

[Surrey]

So I went to leave an hour ago, and my van wont start.

When you crank it, it sounds like its trying to start, it just doesn't catch.

Before, when you started it cold it would be pretty rough to start, didn't sound very nice... Once it was warm, it would start with very little effort, and not sound nearly as mean.

Any guesses? I dont think its my starter (Did try hitting it, didn't do anything, although I couldn't get to it particularly well so Im not sure if I was hitting it hard enough) so Im pretty stumped... I was leaning in the direction of ring gear?

This stupid thing is supposed to be my child-hauler, so I kinda need it running...\

Thanks for any advice.

edit - I dont think its battery related, its cranking over perfectly fine, lights are all good... I will hit it with a volt meter when my friend gets home, but I really dont think thats it, as I had everything cleaned recently(under 2 months ago) and the battery tested at a shop and it was fine.

 

[adsm08]

Sounds like fuel pressure bleed-off/loss.

 

[Surrey]

Sounds like fuel pressure bleed-off/loss.

any guess as to how I would check that on a 98 caravan?

 

[Surrey]

Or any other guesses as to what may be the culprit?

 

[4.0B2]

I'm fighting the same issue with a 2004 4banger Caravan right now.... that and the owner's husband likes to fire the parts shotgun at things... so to date...
replaced parts are:
fuel pump and sending unit
fuel line by the fuel rail (with the one way valve)
cam position sensor
map sensor
coil pack
plugs
wires

also I know, the injectors are getting voltage and when he tried spraying starting fluid in the throttle body, it didn't even hit on it.... it does get fuel to the fuel rail and when grounded a spark plug... it fires.

 

[4.0B2]

my next step is trying a crankshaft position sensor... that's what controls the fire
the camshaft position sensor controls when the injectors dump.

 

[Surrey]

I stuck a piece of tubing into the gas tank, and listened for the fuel pump when my friend turned the key to on. I didn't hear anything.

How audible is the fuel pump? Its always one of those things I mean't to check out when I knew it was working(so I knew what it sounded like), but alas I didn't...

 

[4.0B2]

you should be able to hear it pretty well...

 

[Surrey]

Okay then before I go buy a new fuel pump, what else could be causing it to not work?

A relay I can check somewhere? Wiring I should inspect? Anything else?

 

[4.0B2]

all the above...

break out the ole trusty volt meter and check for power at the pump...
there's a relay somewhere, on the one I'm working on it's next to the batter, driver side fenderwell.

take the fuel line off somewhere and turn the key on... see if it shoots gas.

 

[sid]

Have u tried ta shoot a little bit of gas in tha intake, or even checked the fuel rail for any fuel? There could be a check engine relay that Might not be working (gives fuel pressure for 3 seconds?). Didn't see what engine ya got --- but FI-- . Good Luck

 

[Surrey]

Its a 3.0l in a 1998 Caravan.

I was going to get a can of starting fluid and see if that makes it run for a second, so I can at least eliminate spark and the starter as my problem.

 

[JC 97]

my next step is trying a crankshaft position sensor... that's what controls the fire
the camshaft position sensor controls when the injectors dump.

Chrysler products are known for bad crankshaft pos. sensors.

 

[4.0B2]

That didn't fix it...

 

[JC 97]

Have you verified timing did not jump,compression? I would check the wires from the cam and crank sensors.Verify continuity of the wires from the sensors.