van does not star on cold starts

Asked by fitz2010 Nov 19, 2014 at 04:46 PM about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

when i first try to start my van in morning all it does is crank with no start after about 7
tries it  starts and the rest of the day its fine and she starts no codes are showing up on
computer ive replaced cam sensor and crank sensor new wires, plugs along with power
pack that spark plug wires run to ,rebuilt tranny help

25 Answers

55,810

Could be the fuel filter or fuel pressure regulator.

15 people found this helpful.

In the morning, turn the ignition key to the "on" position and listen to hear if the electric fuel pump is running. It should run briefly and stop. If it does, it will not repeat. If it does not run, you could try turning the key off and on several times to see if it will start running. If it is defective, it needs to be replaced. Its a nasty job, requiring that the fuel tank be dropped.

9 people found this helpful.
260

I got the same problem. fitz2010 did you ever figure this out?

17 people found this helpful.
110

Mine starts and runs for 10 seconds and then quits if I place a space heater inside and warm up the interier of the van its starts just fine.

11 people found this helpful.
320

I have a Chrysler town and country I just changed my fuel line and filter so it can't be that it seems at this timenof the year when it is very cold it gives it a hard time to start up but always start after a couple times it has something to do with the cold but not exzaquley sure what to be certain. Cold is a big factor tho

13 people found this helpful.
320

I was driving uber for the last 2 years till 5 am the car would sit for a couple hours. Then I would get up to take the kids to school it was fine to start. Now that I am not driving over night and the car sits it gets so cold that it makes it difficult to start in the am. Do to the cold. Do to the car not being driven and over night and kept warm it makes it hard to start up since it is so cold. COLD IS A BIG FACYOR IN IT STARTING

17 people found this helpful.
320

I would say for easy results if you have a big garage park it in there to make sure it don't get as cold to avoid having a car that don't start in the morning. That Is if you have the space.

2 people found this helpful.
310

Hi...it ended up being the TIPM fuel relay. Dealer said it was a $1200 job, but would do for $500+. Seems lots of cars 2011and up have this problem. They have figured outa way to bypass with a $20+ gadget,..but labor takes a big chunk of the $500+.I think it should be a recallwith so many people having this problem.And its not just caravans.

16 people found this helpful.
260

I did the TIPM workaround already because it wouldn't start at all. The work around worked brilliantly except on the first start in the morning on winter days. I suppose it could be that the work around is causing the issue, but I'm not sure. I'm going to try replacing the temp send unit and let you all know if it worked.

9 people found this helpful.
60

Adam did the temp sensor work ? Mines doing the same and tipm is by passed

6 people found this helpful.
310

Mechanic had me turn key to *ALMOST (not quite all the way) start 4-5 times. Once I did this it ALWAYS started right away. Once the dealer fixed the TIPM, I never had to turn key like this again to get it started.

5 people found this helpful.
310

I was told the TIPM issue is with a lot of vehicles 2011 and up. Jeep, Town & country, caravans and more. Mine was 2012 Dodge caravan

7 people found this helpful.

I replaced the cam sensors..crank shaft sensor..tipm ...fuel pump and my car still struggles to start and makes a rumbling sound sometimes i have a 2011 dodge grand caravan express...im told buy a new fuel pump AGAIN and i just did this 6 monthes ago...any advice?

80

I got a 2006 Grand Caravan. Changed temperature sensor twice, fuel pump twice, fuel pump relay. Still doesn’t start good in cold weather. Have to give it 10 squirts of gasoline with an oil can into the air intake of the throttle body and it starts immediately. I think that is an engine management programming problem that doesn’t work for cold weather operation.

8 people found this helpful.
190

have same cold starting problem, takes 10 or so starts rattling the gear knob each time then after warming it up it is fine. my mech. cant find any codes wrong and has a hundred what he thinks could be fixes. am disabled vet and cant afford anything, there is no silver bullet to this problem. post or email me at kandkthomas1@comcast.net

4 people found this helpful.
130

2011 Dodge grand Caravan Same problem as above the van shakes & Rumbles Does not want to start on Cold mornings once its warmed up it starts fine Its a Major Defective Problem with these vehicles And should Have recall Does ANYONE KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ..

13 people found this helpful.
190

A laundry list from me & mech. of could be problems in order: Battery (1st thing I replaced) Starter Relay (2nd) Intragrated power module (Too expensive for me) TIPM fuel relay (Too expensive for me) Neutral safety switch (Too expensive for me) Temp. Sending unit (Too expensive for me) Fuses: M27, M13, M10 ignition. (All fine)

1 people found this helpful.
60

I have been having these same issues with my 2013 town and country. I have already changed the fuel pump relay as the mechanic insists that was the problem, however I noticed it happens more in the cold weather, even after having this part changed and a brand new battery :( I have put in complaints with the hope that chrysler puts out a recall for this year and model as they have for their others that have had the same issues for years. The problem is not solved nad I dont know how to solve it and dont have the money to spend on guessing games with the mechanics :( any suggestions?

6 people found this helpful.
190

My problem is solved, this video fixed my problem on how to bypass the TIPM module that the the dealer wants to charge $1000,00 to fix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyvn-kJi_n8&feature=emb_logo

14 people found this helpful.
170

I fixed the cold start issue for 2011 caravan. I replaced the broken relay in the TIPM. It cost me 10 dollars for 2U1S relay and 2 to 3 hours work. I also tried the jumper wire, it only works in warm weather.

17 people found this helpful.
110

I am reading your posts and no one is doing any testing all guessing on what it is based on speculation. Go back to the basics. Test teh fuel pump realay with a test light, ignition on the light is bright. If when the temperature drops and the light goes out with ignition on and cranking then you have a relay issue. Install a jumper. If you continue to have issues in the cold its because when you do the jumper the power circuit to the pump is shut off during cranking so you need to make sure you cycle the key to keep the fuel line pressurized. If the issue persists hook up a fuel pressure gauge with your test light hooked up feeding your fuel pump power and monitor actual fuel pressure during cranking. You need to have 50 to 60 psi. With the key off you need to hold pressure a normal drop of 5 psi is normal for the first 5 minutes and then it should hold pressure for hours. If it does not hold pressure then you may have leaking injectors ( very low chance) or the fuel pressure relief valve has failed. Replace the pump module assembly. Retest.

11 people found this helpful.
10

Sea foam treatment and clean your throttle body problems solved for me

1 people found this helpful.

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