[5th Gen : 08+]: 2012 Grand Caravan Hard Starting
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Intermittent problems can be tough for the best technicians.
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Professional
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primem,
Thanks for paying attention to this thread and replying with useful information.
The dealer hasn't called yet. I dropped the van off to the nearest dealer who has a tipm. Just so happens that the closest dealer to my house, actually had one. Originally, I was told that it could be up to five days if they had to acquire a tipm. We will see, with fingers crossed.
I used to be a suspension tech at land rover in akron, ohio. Then, went to firestone for a while. I regret that I never learned electronics and any testing methods.
Currently, I am looking for any helpful information on how to test & diagnose anything electronic. I'm also trying to find a reasonably cost effective resource of information for help on working with my van. I am looking at All-data, identifix, owner's manual, etc.
On a side note, I've seen 3rd, or 4th gen caravan owners claim that grounding their throttle bodies has been immensely helpful in the lower rpm ranges. I wonder if the same applies to the 5th gens?
Thanks for paying attention to this thread and replying with useful information.
The dealer hasn't called yet. I dropped the van off to the nearest dealer who has a tipm. Just so happens that the closest dealer to my house, actually had one. Originally, I was told that it could be up to five days if they had to acquire a tipm. We will see, with fingers crossed.
I used to be a suspension tech at land rover in akron, ohio. Then, went to firestone for a while. I regret that I never learned electronics and any testing methods.
Currently, I am looking for any helpful information on how to test & diagnose anything electronic. I'm also trying to find a reasonably cost effective resource of information for help on working with my van. I am looking at All-data, identifix, owner's manual, etc.
On a side note, I've seen 3rd, or 4th gen caravan owners claim that grounding their throttle bodies has been immensely helpful in the lower rpm ranges. I wonder if the same applies to the 5th gens?
Last edited by teets.18; Oct 23, 2018 at 10:59 AM. Reason: Clarity
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From: Mopar HQ
Jasmine
Dodge Social Care Specialist
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Thank you everybody for your support in this thread!
The van is back from the dealer, and the diagnosis was that it needed a tipm due to not having any fuel pressure. So, I had to wonder if the van's problem would have been solved with a $20 external fuel relay. I am not inclined to believe so because when the van stalled, it threw many different codes, and some did not pertain to fuel. I'm not saying that those codes could not have been thrown by a bad fuel pump relay, rather I'm saying it's unlikely. However, I do not know all that much about it. So if you're reading this, and you think you may know, then please feel free to comment.
The van is back from the dealer, and the diagnosis was that it needed a tipm due to not having any fuel pressure. So, I had to wonder if the van's problem would have been solved with a $20 external fuel relay. I am not inclined to believe so because when the van stalled, it threw many different codes, and some did not pertain to fuel. I'm not saying that those codes could not have been thrown by a bad fuel pump relay, rather I'm saying it's unlikely. However, I do not know all that much about it. So if you're reading this, and you think you may know, then please feel free to comment.
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Trouble codes are not a guaranteed problem finder - they’re more like clues in a scavenger hunt. They give you a direction to go in, but ultimately you have to know how to diagnose the related circuits in order to find the source of a problem. I can think of at least 4 DTC’s that can be triggered for a throttle position sensor and not one of them necessarily means the TPS is bad.
The same goes for apps and websites that list common fixes. We use identifix at work and it’s great being able to see common problems, but I still take the time to diagnose that “common fix” before assuming it’s the issue. Why? Because there may be over 200 “confirmed fixes” for something, but the moment I just replace a part without diagnosis is the moment it’s not the cause of the problem.
There’s a lot to learn with electrical diagnosis- if you’re really up for it then I would recommend buying a few second hand books on automotive electrical systems - they may not have every little detail but they should have enough about the basics to guide you through most diagnostic situations.
The same goes for apps and websites that list common fixes. We use identifix at work and it’s great being able to see common problems, but I still take the time to diagnose that “common fix” before assuming it’s the issue. Why? Because there may be over 200 “confirmed fixes” for something, but the moment I just replace a part without diagnosis is the moment it’s not the cause of the problem.
There’s a lot to learn with electrical diagnosis- if you’re really up for it then I would recommend buying a few second hand books on automotive electrical systems - they may not have every little detail but they should have enough about the basics to guide you through most diagnostic situations.