Expert: Roland Finston - 10/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: The van sometimes will not start not even with a boost.Has a new starter,alternator.If you let it sit awhile then it starts.Could it be a pdc  or a main computer under the left wheel housing? Thank you Ron

ANSWER: Hi Ron,
Do yo mean the starter motor won't crank over the engine or that it does but the engine won't 'catch' and idle? Let me know which and we'll go from there.
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay but I just found your question in the 'pool' to which it had been referred by Kevin.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The motor does not turn at all.It is like dead....

Answer
Hi Ron,
The fisrt thing to check when it won't crank the engine it whether the starter relay is clicking when you try the 'start' position of the key. It is located in the power box under the hood, in the 6th socket counting from the front. Feel/listen while a helper turns the key.
If it clicks then either the wire from it to the starter motor solenoid is 'open'/the starter motor is bad, the red wire from the battery to the starter motor is 'open', or the engine ground wire is 'open', or the contact points in the relay are worn (try switching the relay with another one in the box that has the same part no. to test for that, to begin with).
If it doesn't click, then either the park/neutral safety switch (try moving the shift lever off center a bit on either side of the detent to see if that changes things) or the ignition switch is faulty, or the relay's actuation circuit is worn (again check by substituting another relay to test that).
Let me know what you find and we'll go from there with further details.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer and where you see the question about a nomination of me for 'voluteer of the month' consider answering 'yes'. Thank you