1990 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3l V6 Stalling/rough idle

FYI, it *SEEMS* it was the cam sensor. We gave it a couple taps to
push it down a little more (after all, we were pulling on it trying to
pull it out) and so far the problem has not happened at all today. So
HOPEFULLY it was fixed.
As to why we changed the timing chain - it was rattling. Just as a
curiousity thing, I called Pep Boys and asked how much it would be and
they told me something around $500. This is on a first-generation
minivan.

Thanks everyone!
Eric Kotz

 

I drive an '03 3.3 grand caravan...and I don't anticipate any problems...

But I always want to know more about the machine I'm driving.

Thanks.

Barry

 

On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 03:35:31 -0500, "Treeline"

I was out today with my mostly trusty 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan when I
stopped for lunch. After an hour, or so, I returned to the van and
turned the key to start. It usually fires right up, but it turned
over smartly (a very young & strong battery) but did not start. I
tried several times and finally it began to cough and then started,
but unless I kept pumping the throttle it would die. I repeated this
procedure several times and finally it died and wouldnt start again.
I had it towed to my house.

I first thought that the computer (SBEC?) was at fault in not
maintaining an idle, but then thought that the fuel pump may have quit
and the short times getting the engine to run briefly was due to
residual fuel in the lines and injectors.

It's an old, but very useful car that can't sell for the cost of an
expensive repair. I am not equipped to drop the tank and change the
fuel pump, but what can I do to test that possibity? I have the
factory shop manual, but I sure don't have the factory test equipment
that the manual says is meant to measure fuel pressure.
I won't take (tow) it to the dealer sharks, but I fear even the most
reasonable service centers will be too much.

Like all others who suddenly can't breathe life into their "trusty
steed" I sure don't need this right now.... (But Who Does? ;-) )

What would you do?

Celtfire
-DAHnet
of course, dump the DOO-DAH

 

I see that the professional mechanics haven't jumped on this one yet, so
I'll throw in my two cents. You say that it did something that
qualifies as "almost running", so it isn't likely a catastrophic
failure of some component or another. Could be a fuel filter problem.
Did it ever exhibit symptoms of not quite having enough mojo when you
started going up a slight incline on the freeway? I had a van that did
that for a while. On a slight incline that should have posed absolutely
no problem, it would not maintain the 65 mph cruise control setting but
would gradually slow down while the cruise control pulled the pedal down
to the floor. Then one day when I tried to start it, it quit just like
yours. Have you seen this type of behavior in your van? How about any
other little quirky things? Any additional info would help, if you can
think of anything.

And just to make sure, when you turn the key to "ON" do you hear the
fuel pump turn on for a second or two in the fuel tank?

 

Thanks for the input, Robbie.

After letting the it sit in the driveway for almost 24 hours I tried
to start the car today. It fired up and then stalled out. I got it
started again and lept it running for about 20 seconds by accererating
the rpm's to about 3000. It then died on its own while I was still
giving it gas. I believe that the fuel pump is probably OK so what
does that leave me for probable cause? The computer seems a likely
culprit.

The car was running brilliantly before yesterday afternoon. It always
had power on the flat or on hills and could easily cruise at 80 mph
(128.75 kph).

I don't believe I can keep it running on the road unless I crash all
stop lights and signs on the way to a mechanic, so I'd better get a
tow.

Any other ideas out there? Mr. Stern?

 

Sounds like a classic fuel pump problem or a clogged fuel line. What makes
you so certain the fuel pump is good and why do you suspect the computer?
Do you have any error codes set? Have you tested the fuel line pressure
when it is stalling?

Bob

 

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter??

That's what it sounds like to me. Have had similkar experiences,
changed out fuel filter, and all was well with the world. Hope this
helps.

 

Using the on-off method I received a 55, or no error codes. I started
the van again today and by keeping it running between 3000 - 4000 rpm
it kept going for almost two minutes. At that point I gradually eased
off the accelerator and at about 2000 rpm it died.

Two days ago the problem first presented when I tried to start it
after running trouble free for 50,000 miles, or so. Now I can't
believe that the problem is a fuel pump or filter. I've had a pump go
out on this vehicle several years ago. At that time it ran fine, I
stopped for a few minutes and when I tried starting it turned over but
never gave a hint of spark igniting fuel. Nada! In that case I
figured fuel pump and the mechanic's test proved me right. In its
present injured condition it will start after sitting for awhile, but
won't keep running unless I give it a lot of gas pedal.

I'm a "shoemaker mechanic," in that I can usually fix the nuts n'
bolts kinds of things, but the more complicated analysis and repair is
a bit beyond me, BUT I do hope to have a good idea of what truly ails
the car so that the chosen service facility doesn't succeed in
hornswoggling me with expensive and unnecessary solutions.

I will change the fuel filter and see what, if any, changes result.

Thanks for all advice. I really appreciate the community here on
rec.autos.makers.chrysler.

 

I'm thinking it sounds like a fuel pump, too. I had an 88 Voyager that
had an intermittent fuel pump problem. On a few occasions, it was
running and then it turned itself off and wouldn't turn back on until
the next day. The last time this happened I had left it and gotten a
ride home, then I went back across town the next day to retrieve the
van. I started it up and headed for home on the freeway, but when I
slowed down for a curve, lower demand caused the pump to stop and it
didn't start back up, so I ended up with a dead van on the highway. If
it hadn't been for that stupid curve I would have made it a lot closer
to home...

Anyway, it was the fuel pump causing the problem. And I suspect that an
excessively old filter might have helped the pump reach the end of its
useful service life. I still think that when your van quits and you
determine that it isn't going to start again, you should come back in
ten minutes and turn the key to "ON" to see if you can hear the pump.
If it's working as it should, you will hear a friendly sounding
"bzzzzzt" noise from the gas tank. It's easily audible from the
driver's seat. If you hear nothing, then you have a problem with the
pump.

 

Do yourself a favor and change the fuel pump. When they start to go bad
they sometimes have weird symptoms including hard starting, stalling but
running fine at 80 mph on the freeway. I know it doesn't make sense but
it's true. So, if you must be convinced, go down to Autozone, or the
equivalent, and rent/borrow a fuel pump pressure gauge. Hook it up to
the fuel rail and see for yourself that your not getting the 45+ PSI
fuel pressure needed.

 

I did. I'm not up to dropping the tank (neither is my wife or our
community association) and all that so I scouted around and found a
"recommended by several," close-to-home mechanic who quoted a price
much cheaper than the dealer sharks did. I hope that changing the
pump and filter (Idid that earlier today) make the "old gir"l run
better.

Thanks for all the help