Unusual multiple issues - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica

[macarose]

I recently got a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with all the options and only 64,000 miles. Garaged. Well maintained. All the things you like to see when buying a low-mile older vehicle.

But there is a bit of weirdness going on.

When I first got it, the battery was dead. So I was able to get it going with a jump. But only if I had an absolutely massive amount of cold cranking amps available AND I tried starting it up 20 or so times.

So I replaced the battery and drove it for a while. If I drove it every day, the issue wouldn't repeat itself. If it sat, then the cycle would continue.

One time I took it to a neighboring shop that can delve deeper into potential electrical issues. I was thinking it could be a bad ground or terminal. But everything seemed to be fine.

I start it up again after just driving it for thirty minutes... and it won't start. Then it does.

I bring it back home instead of keeping at the dealership to do some more digging. I get busy. It sits. Same issue. 20+ attempts to start it, plenty of starter fluid needed until it clicks. It runs. But then it dies about a half mile later going up the hill. It won't start up again.

Three days later I come back and it starts like there is no issue at all.

Here's the weird thing. I think I may have two issues going on at the same time.

First, the fuel pump. A new mechanic that I'm working with came to the last time it sat, and said there was no pressure coming to the pump. 20 years and a ton of sitting can kill the fuel pump.

Second, there is a TSB for the start / no start issue. Apparently when you replace motor mounts, like the former owner did, there is a healthy possibility you may pinch a part of the wiring harness and create this situation due to a pinched or broken wire.

It's frustrating and honestly, this is such a nice driving vehicle. I sell everything... but I also will drive whatever I sell for a solid 30 days straight if it has a mysterious issue that needs a deeper dive.

I'm wondering if I've missed anything. There's a guy coming tomorrow to replace the fuel pump. That may solve it. But I'm also thinking there may be some type of pinched wire near one of the motor mounts.

 

[fdcg27]

If you know that the motor mounts were changed out and if there is a TSB concerning wire damage when this is done, that would be the first thing to look at, before the fuel pump.

 

[dishdude]

Fuel pumps generally work or they don't. Your description of what is going on is tough to follow, I can't tell if it's cranking and not starting, or if it is killing the battery.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

Brother-in-law and sister-in-law had a Pacifica around the same year. It went through those fluid filled engine mounts about every 25k miles. At the time the dealer charged $1300 to replace, money they didn't have.
He brought it to me for the 3rd set. The middle one was quite a challenge, so much so, the dealer mechanic didn't bother to install the hardest nut to get to (it was missing).
If it had the propensity to crush a wire harness, I'll bet that harness was crushed.
I know I drank a toast and danced a jig when he traded that puppy in for another vehicle. I knew I wouldn't have to do set #4.

 

[macarose]

Fuel pumps generally work or they don't. Your description of what is going on is tough to follow, I can't tell if it's cranking and not starting, or if it is killing the battery.

Cranking and not starting

 

[macarose]

Fuel pumps generally work or they don't. Your description of what is going on is tough to follow, I can't tell if it's cranking and not starting, or if it is killing the battery.

They work but they can die if they heat up. They can also get weak or deteriorate if old gas is left in the system for too long.

 

[dishdude]

They work but they can die if they heat up. They can also get weak or deteriorate if old gas is left in the system for too long.

Possible, but almost as likely as playing the Powerball once and winning. Can you get live data when it doesn't start? My guess is you have a PCM, crank sensor or wiring issue. I wouldn't start firing the parts cannon at it without a solid diagnosis.

 

[Marcozi]

The first step in diagnosing a problem is to scan the care for codes. The "check engine light" is activated only when an emission-related code is present.

 

[macarose]

The first step in diagnosing a problem is to scan the care for codes. The "check engine light" is activated only when an emission-related code is present.

True. That was done.

 

[macarose]

Started right up twice this morning. Idled for a good half-hour. No codes.

Boy this one's a toughie!

 

[super20dan]

these cars were always trouble

 

[Nick1994]

I’d say the fuel pump is fine and the bad wiring harness just isn’t kicking on the fuel pump

 

[GSCJR]

I think you need to get someone to diagnose the symptoms correctly; to me it sounds like just a lot of guessing.

 

[GON]

My wild DUOP guess ... Ground wire to fuel pump is compromised.

 

[zzyzzx]

Fuel pumps generally work or they don't. Your description of what is going on is tough to follow, I can't tell if it's cranking and not starting, or if it is killing the battery.

Fuel pump electrical issue, as in wiring to the fuel pump?

 

[D60]

I'd find a way to monitor fuel pressure first. We need actual numbers and live data, even if that means laying a gauge on the windshield -- which, yes, I've absolutely done. I don't know if there's a PID but that's obviously more elegant.

It may not be fuel at all, but that's exactly what this will tell you. Then you move on to spark or air or [......]

 

[macarose]

Yesterday, I started it up. Ran fine for about 20 minutes and then it cut out. It wouldn't start back up again.

I didn't shift it into gear at all. Just ran it parked. I'm now thinking it's the fuel pump.

 

[D60]

Yesterday, I started it up. Ran fine for about 20 minutes and then it cut out. It wouldn't start back up again.

I didn't shift it into gear at all. Just ran it parked. I'm now thinking it's the fuel pump.

You're probably right but you're still guessing.

For as much as you're part of the automotive industry, you'd do yourself a favor to work on becoming a better diagnostician. But how you choose to spend your time is your choice. Good luck!

"Teach a man to fish....."

 

[macarose]

You're probably right but you're still guessing.

For as much as you're part of the automotive industry, you'd do yourself a favor to work on becoming a better diagnostician. But how you choose to spend your time is your choice. Good luck!

"Teach a man to fish....."

You're assuming that the data was there when I was perfroming the diagnostic.

It wasn't. Went inside. Car went dead. Couldn't duplicate the issue except the car will not start and the data I have is inconclusive.

"Wanna teach a man to fish? Don't take him out to a dry lake......"

 

[MaximumMini]

This is a well known and common problem with that year pacifica with the 3.5, 250HP engine.

Many people report it was indeed the fuel pump. But, a bad fuel REGULATOR could cause the same symptoms. Wiring issues for sure.

So check the wires for breaks or obvious pinches etc.
Don't rule out bad gas...it happens. Water gets in it and sometimes it picks up fuel and sometimes it picks up the water. Seen it happen.
If a vehicle is not driven regularly bad gas can sit in the tank for a long time.
A sitting vehicle draws water into the tank in the form of condensation. Over time it can be quite a bit.

D60 said check the fuel pressure. I second that. You may have to check more often.
Look for diagnostic codes P018C or P0087.

If you're not get any of those codes it could be because you have a faulty ECM or there are damaged wires somewhere as mentioned above. Or, it's not those components and something else but regardless if it's stalling you should be getting some codes. If you're never getting any codes with a known good scanner I would suspect a bus communications issue which could also cause all the problems you're having.

That vehicle should have been made in Windsor, Canada so it's far better imo than the Stellantis/Fiat made Chryslers and worth the effort.
I thrive on mystery problems like this with worthy vehicles because solving the issue is very rewarding and you have a good vehicle.
Keep us posted what you find and good luck.

PS.....if you keep cranking that motor over without a break, you could burn up the starter. Rule of thumb, for every MINUTE you use the starter it needs 15 minutes to cool down. People smoke.....starters shouldn't.