I'm running into a brick wall with my neighbor's 2000 Caravan.

Until few days ago it was running fine. Then one day when she was trying to come home from the grocery store, the car started a bit hesitantly, wouldn't rev and finally died. This repeated three times, then the car refused to do anything. We towed it home and I had a look.

When trying to start. Nothing happened. Even the dash lights didn't all light up correctly. And gear selection doesn't move from P when ignition is on. (On acc-position it does work though.) I charged the battery, but that didn't do anything.

I tried reading error codes, but neither a OBD-reader or an Android phone couldn't get anything. Just error that no connection... ...finally I got the codes out from the dash (odometer), but that only gives out weird one/two digit codes: 1, 2, 4, 7, 23, 55

Then I did reset the computer, nothing. I had a look at the fuel pump, checked the connector (as the pump wouldn't even turn). Reset computer again. This time to dash lighted up normally and car started!!!

Test drove and everything seems to be working correctly!

I'm kinda lost. Specially as I cannot make any sense of the codes above. I know the 55 is kinda EOF-marker and am guessing 1 is the starter. But what about the others? Could only find 23 as IAT-sensor error on 4 cyl engines...

The fuel pump connector COULD have been seated bit off, but I doubt that was the problem...

So, any ideas? Error codes? Anything?

 

Sounds like your ignition has locked you out. The skim/skreem module has failed. You may need the dealer to replace the module and program it. What you can do, is hook up a battery charger and leave the key in the on position for one hour and the skreem module should unlock to where the engine will turn over. If it does, you now know the module needs to be replaced.

 

Had that happen on my old Caravan the module that reads the key transponder quit functioning. Easy part to change but the dealer has to program it to you keys.

 

All MIL codes are two digit codes - no single digits. In reality your codes are probably:

12 - battery disconnected in last 50 cycles
47 - low battery charge voltage
23 - IAT - don't recall meaning on 6 cylinder engines
55 - end of codes.

Cause could be as stated. Could be your alternator is not producing enough power to charge your battery completely. That can create some strange electrical gremlins. Could also be the all too common loss of CCD data bus due to poor solder connections at the speedo connector. The fact you readers wouldn't read, your PRNDL appears out to lunch and you have a no crank/start situation point to it.

 

Thanks guys!

I'm a bit perplexed on the error-code issue. As the car did display 1-digit codes, that it's not supposed to do. But I'll "ignore" that for now...

I'm HOPING it's not the SKIM/SKREEM module. Getting the keys coded would be too expensive for my neighbor as they're quite tight on money.

As for battery being low and alternator not working, I doubt that. I have NOT yet checked voltage when car was running, but naturally will do that. But I did try out with fresh charged battery and that made no difference.

The bad solder/connection issue is the most likely cause in my mind too. The problem is, I don't have much experience with Caravans so I don't know from experience where to look and which circuits would cause symptoms like this. I did however fumble with the fuel level/fuel pump connector as the pump didn't react when switching ignition on. That also did get the car to start and work normally. Luckily the neighbors have been out of town now for a while, so they haven't needed the Caravan for now. Specially as I don't trust the car to be ok yet, not before I know what was the cause.

 

What i was saying. To find out the module is locked, hook up a battery charger and leave the key on for one hour. Not to test the charging system.

 

Yep, got that. But I did not express myself clearly. I was commenting on the error code 47 that implies low battery voltage. Sorry.

Anyhow, I can't help wondering why the car would display 1-digit codes 4 and 7 separately and not 47. Specially as it did display 23 as normal 2-digit code... ...well, go figure.

I hadn't had time to look at the car, but I hope I get around to it soon.