Tizzy1,

I looked into the sensor hole in the bellhousing while cranking the engine over. it looks like it may have less than 1/16" back and forth wobble. I put the old sensor into the hole and held it against the timing ring by hand while operating the starter. I could see and feel the sensor move up and down by less than 1/16". The scratch it made on the end of the sensor was less than 1"16" wide. More like less than 1/64" wide. How much runnout is tolarable ? I can't fathom how the amount of runnout I saw can alter the timing by more than one degree, two at the most.

Regardless, I've given up on trying to find out what else it could be that prevents the spark from happening. I'm going to take out or move the transaxle enough to look at the flexplate mounting bolt area. I've not ignored the numerous suggestions to do so. I just needed to convince myself it was not something else preventing the ignition from working.

I'll report what I find. I know this is an older vehicle and therefore not very interesting. I am very greatful for all the help I've gotten from you and the others on this forum.

 

I believe the diagnosis part of this job is done ! See the pic I included. Everyone was right. The flexplate is cracked. Almost into two pieces ! Maybe the photo will help someone else realize, the cracks are just plain not visible until you remove the flexplate attachment bolts. On mine the "crack" was hidden by the reinforcement plate underneath the bolt heads. Took me over two months due to being stubborn and every time I was going to work on the Caravan, soemthing else came up that was more important. Now it's time to round up parts and start doing the easy work, putting it all back together. Thanks everybody who patiently helped me get this problem sorted out.

 

Thanks to everyone on this forum that helped me sort this out. I've had this minivan up on jack stands in my shop since November. Yesterday, it drove out under it's own power. Thnaks again for the help !