Expert: Roland Finston - 9/27/2011

Question
I have a 2002 Voyager that has been running a little rough in the last couple of weeks, had minimal power this morning on acceleration & now, only cranks but will not start. I tried replacing the coil pack but it didn't work. I tried charging the battery with a portable charger & also tried using starter fluid, neither of which worked. I'm stumped. This is my daughters only car & I really need some help with figuring this out. Can you offer any other ideas as to what it might be? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Daryl,
Easiest would be to use the ignition key: "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then observe the odometer window to see the mileage reading changes to instead show any 4-digit numbers preceded by a P which are fault codes telling us what the engine controller sees to be the problem. Let me know what you find and we'll go from there. Tell me which size (L) engine is in the vehicle, please.
I would listen for whether the fuel pump runs for a second or so with a humm sound coming from the fuel tank when you turn the key to the 'run' position. Then you could also check for spark when cranking it over by using a screwdriver with an insulated handle inserted into a spark plug cap and then hold the two together and place the shaft of the driver 1/4" from the cylinder head while a helper cranks it over and what for a spark to jump the gap or not.
But the fault code may be the only thing we need.
Roland