Q: Van malfunctioning with no inside power.

asked by on June 16, 2016

We took our son to Karate last night. When arriving, turned off the car, and locked the doors. When we returned I put the key in the ignition and the car had a rough start. No dome lights, gauges, or inside power came on but we heard the engine running rough and sputtering. No other signs of power. You could rev the engine but it sounded like it was bogging out as it slowed. Turned the key to the off position and the van wouldn't turn off, took the key out and it was still running hard. My husband clogged the air supply to get it to shut off on its own. Once we got it off, it no longer would start and we continued with no inside power, headlights, etc. it will turn over with no inside power but will not start. We unhooked the battery to try to reset the computer, but no luck. We have no idea what is going on, there have been no other problems leading up to this.

My car has 138000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you use the cargo net?
If your Altima is equipped with a cargo net, this handy tool can be used to secure packages in the trunk. Not only is this handy for keeping packages with fragile items inside from sliding around in the back, but...
How do I adjust the cruise control speed?
Once the cruise control is set, you can adjust the speed very easily. To increase the cruise control speed, pull up on the cruise control lever. To decrease the speed, pull down on the cruise control lever. If you briefly...
Moonroof stuck open
What is most likely happening is that either the motor has failed, or there may be debris in the moonroof track which is blocking the window from closing properly. I recommend having a mechanic check the moonroof for you in...
Abs, brake, and vsc warning lights
Hello. Most of the time if the vehicle is running fine and the lights just came on then you more than likely have low brake fluid. If the fluid level is low then all of these lights will come on....
Hit a curb and coilover is rubbing tire.
You most likely bent the wheel spindle or strut [https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/strut-assembly-replacement] causing the top of the wheel to bend in toward the strut spring. You should have the wheel, strut, lower control arm and spindle to identify what component get damaged....
Check Engine Light on code P3400 showing
Hello. This particular code indicates a performance issue with the cylinder deactivation system on bank 1. If you believe that all of the recent repairs are holding, then you may want to turn your attention the the solenoid and sensor...
How much does Honda CRV 2008 B145 Service will cost?
Hello. The code b145 is a maintenance code for the service maintenance reminder system used by Honda. The first digit B is the main code, while the following digits 145 are sub codes. B is a reminder to replace the...
Why would my 2003 Chevrolet Impala stall and now it runs rough.
Hello. Though there are a lot of things that can cause this typically it is due to an issue with a failure in a spark plug or an ignition coil failure. If there is not a check engine light on...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Ram
While While Chrysler has decided to give Ram its very own division, it seems impossible not to think of the Ram 1500 as a Dodge. After all, you’ll still buy your 2012 Ram at a Dodge dealer, and it remains...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're Over 50
Shopping Shopping for a car when you’re over the age of 50 begins to shift a bit, as your priorities tend to change. Suddenly it’s not so much about what the vehicle looks like, or how much space it has...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Get Motion Sickness
For For people that suffer from motion sickness, even on the shortest car trip, riding in a vehicle can prove to be unbearable. What’s great is that there are a number of cars on the market that can help to...