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Thread: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

  1. #1
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Starter engaging but no fuel pump priming. Tried spare ASD relay and spare HEP and still nothing.
    Traveler shows a code of F1-1 and never noticed that ever before.

    Another relay slowly clicks in and out not sure why. Battery had decent voltage, and starter cranks engine normally.

    Have Ed Peters Viper pump, and has never given any trouble. But maybe it finally quit. But ASD relay does not click with key on, so it seems something else.
    Tried to connect DRBII, but even with key on it would not connect for some reason. I think that may be related.
    When key on, gauges and idiot lights work. So it seems the ignition switch is fine.

    Its a bit of a puzzler unless I'm missing something.
    Any thoughts?
    Got wedding in a few days and definitely don't need any more sh!t to deal with.
    Thanks
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  2. #2
    turbo addict
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    I seem to recall that F1-1 on the traveller is that it's hearing nothing from the SMEC, either due to power loss or bad coms. First I guess would be to check your 12V feeds to/from SMEC and maybe reseat it.
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

  3. #3
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Should have mentioned this is my 91, and I did unplug the sbec and look at connector. Didn't see any corroded ones. But replugged.
    Seems to be something along those lines though.
    Maybe the computer decided to crap out.
    I don't think I have a spare sbec to try. I only have a couple smec's.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  4. #4
    turbo addict
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Socketed sbec? Its common for the chip to get some corrosion and do this. Everything you described is a symptom of a dead or not powering up engine controller.
    Ian Adams Function>Form 1990 shadow scrapped, too rusty:( 1991 Spirit R/T Scrapped, parts sold:( 1989 Turbo Caravan Daily beater with built-[I]ish [/I]​engine slowly evolving into weekend turbo beater.

  5. #5
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    This is the factory stock original computer.
    Have not tried anything else yet or since my last post.
    This was the wedding weekend and actually just got home.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  6. #6
    turbo addict
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Didn't have an immobiliser in that's crapped out did it? Someone else here had weird issues from one of those, but it triggered when they swapped SBECs or SMECs
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

  7. #7
    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanman²'s Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Check grounds, if they are ok, sounds like the SBEC took a dump.
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

  8. #8
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Nope, no alarm system of any kind.
    So the weird thing is it started right up the other day normal like.
    Key on, fuel pump primed fine all normal.
    Something is flakey.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  9. #9
    turbo addict
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    "Our" wiring is getting to an age where the insulation cracks up easily. You get what look like hairline cracks around a wire, but find that it's let moisture in, and that you're trying to conduct electrons with green powder rather than metal. Continuity checks on important feeds help nail it down, then you can either go looking for the fault to cut and splice, or just duplicate the wire, if nothing else comes off it. When it's starting to go, then drenching your harness in silicone spray every 6 months helps seal the water out of new cracks.

    But if you can confirm that you have excellent power and grounds to the SMEC connector (No more than about half an ohm to the battery posts) then time for another SMEC I guess. j4278h used to have a large supply, dunno if he's sold them all now though.

    edit: Just thunk, check out the ignition switch, I'm thinking the traveller is on the accessory/cabin circuit so is on a different part of the switch, different supply and fuse, main one might be dirty/burned/broke up inside, or have connectivity issues.
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

  10. #10
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Well, I don't believe it, but i made some progress on my Spirit after more than 3 years!

    After getting Slug up and running yesterday i tried tackling again why the Spirit would not start.
    Last i messed with it i figured it was a bad SBEC, so it sat until i got a replacement to try. Well, that was no different either.
    Yesterday i tried again and it didn't fix itself since the last time.
    I used the DRBII to check all the solenoids and relays. The ASD was not starting the fuelpump now. I went to the fuel system test, which starts the pump, but it did not start.
    A couple raps on the bottom of the fuel tank fired the Viper pump back to life!
    Then with the fuelpump test still running i started the car.
    It wasn't very happy after 3 years, and she stumbled a bit and fuel pump died a couple times.
    Found a fuel leak right on the supply to the rail, luckily the exhaust manifold wasn't very hot yet!

    https://youtu.be/9ZPzQn0TR0U

    After i got the fuel leak fixed, then found another, but eventually could keep it running, so i decided to clean up the engine a bit, due to be totally ashamed of how it has been neglected...

    https://youtu.be/e4pyvrdN8Zs

    She needs a thorough cleaning and vacuuming but at least i got her moved around and know what was wrong. Maybe i can get her back on the road at some point.
    Last edited by wheming; 08-10-2017 at 07:40 AM.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  11. #11
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Love it!

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Quote Originally Posted by DaveSkrab View Post
    Love it!

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
    Hard to believe it has been 3 years! But my Spirit starting crapping out before Janet an I got married, and i haven't been able to drive since.

    It is in need of a rebuild, i suspect a dead cylinder, but don't want to know!
    It will most likely never see a track again. Too tired of breaking it, and I've got Mini and Slug to flog at the track.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  13. #13
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Good to see it running. I'd love to have a 5 sp. turbo Spirit! Nice!!

  14. #14
    Garrett booster Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Quote Originally Posted by wheming View Post

    It will most likely never see *only 13s* at the track again.
    Fixed it for you!

  15. #15
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: Spirit 2.5 turbo, no start

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan H View Post
    Fixed it for you!
    Haha, thanks!
    It is really in sad need of some maintenance. I should probably try to get a fuel pump in it, so i can run it long enough to see what else it will need. The fuel mileage in it had been crappy for a while, another reason i think there's at least one dead cylinder.
    But, i do wish i still had it as a daily to and from work. Been putting alot of miles on my PT GT because of the Spirit being down.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

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