93 Dodge Caravan Stalling Problems

Will get back shortly concerning the flashes.
Just came back in from driving the thing, and it stalled three times.
Once while it was moving! Luckily I was able to coast into a parking
lot and restart. But the popping or backfiring sound when I give it
the gas is getting worse. Looks like I wasted 300 bucks yesterday on
that moron I went to.

 

Our 93 Caravan with 3.3 did the same thing. The fix was a new EGR
valve assembly. It was the EET that was bad but to get the EET you
will have to buy the complete EGR valve assembly. The EET ( Electric
EGR Transducer ) sets behind the throttle body and is bolted to the
intake. There will be a source acuum to the EET and the vacuum will
then go down to the EGR valve. There will also be and electrical
connector on the EET. I checked yours buy removing the source vacuum
and holding my finger over it - the van started idling smooth. Hope
the info. helps.

Warren

 

I've never not had the 12. Under what conditions don't you get the 12?

Matt

 

If any fault codes are stored, the flash sequence *will* start with 12.

If no fault codes are stored *and* the SMEC/SBEC has lost power feed
within the last 50 to 70 (per spec) engine start events, the flash
sequence *will* be "12, 55".

If no fault codes are stored *and* the SMEC/SBEC has *not* lost power feed
within the last 50 to 70 (per spec) engine start events, the flash
sequence *may* (per spec) consist only of "55".

DS

 

Thanks for the info.
Of course the million dollar question. How much?

 

I checked again. I did it twice, and got the same response twice.
This is the way I saw it.

There was the 1-2 flash to begin (flash pause then flash flash)
Then it went 3-2
Then 7-7
Then 5-3
Then 5-5

Like I say, I got the same result twice in a row. I hope this helps.

 

Good. "Start of codes".

Computer sees no change in air/fuel ratio when EGR activated. VERY
consistent with your symptoms! Check for defective EGR valve and EGR valve
controller.

Don't believe there's any such code.

Engine control computer internal fault (so much for that $100 replacement
computer...)

"End of codes".

DS

 

OK, I've never felt the need to check the codes if the computer wasn't
indicating a failure via the light.


Matt

 

Yes, I'd go ask for your original, and likely good, computer back and
then fix the real problem which is in your EGR system.


Matt

 

You're telling me the replacement computer they put in is a problem?
I never got the old one back! Then again I doubt the computer ever was
the problem. The mechanic who worked on my van was a young kid. Like
as far as I know he didn't do the flash test you guys reccommended.
Thats what you get when you go to people who don't know what they're
doing!

 

As for the cost, my 93 failed an emission test and the problem was the EGR.
Nov 2002, the EGR/EET assy cost me $100 Canadian (approx $60 US at that
time). Fairly simple replacement. If I recall there is also required a small
gasket. Ask your parts guy and/or make sure its included.

 

No, *it's* telling you it's a problem.

How come? You just *gave* it to them? Go get it back, it doesn't belong to
them!

DS

 

There are more trouble codes that will *not* illuminate the light than
there are codes that will!

Chrysler gave you a very good self-diagnostic feature that requires no
special tool; it's good practice to use it every once in awhile (every oil
change...).

DS

 

Thanks for answering. I too am in Canada. And 100 bucks I can handle.
Can I ask where you went to have it done? Was it a Canadian Tire? I
was thinking of going there because I'm at my wits end finding
somebody who knows what they're doing. The dummy I went to yesterday
cost me almost 300 bucks, but he didn't know what he was doing! And of
course didn't find the source of the problem, outside of changing the
computer. Which probably didn't even need changing!

 

Thanks again for your help. You know the more I read the responses to
my post, the madder I get. I just left a message on the garage's
answering machine that I want my original computer back. In fact i'm
having doubts whether he even installed a new one! What sticks in my
craw is that I've paid this guy 300 hundred bucks, plus left my car
there all day on Friday, for nothing! In fact the van is virtually
undrivable and unsafe the way it is right now. I mean if the guy
didn't know what the problem was, he should have told me. Instead of
basically ripping me off by guessing. The way I feel right now its
lucky for him he's closed!
Thanks for everybody's prompt responses!

 

Yes, the new Canbus system, where the computer controls everything, we
are going to see more expensive computer replacements required.
Rear wipers and washers are common.

 

Well, I won't say "told you so"

 

UNLESS the actual problem is a failure of the output circuit that
controls the EGR. The computer would then TELL the EGR to operate and
the valve would not get the signal. OR the computer gets the signal
from the EGR Monitor circuit and does not handle it properly.I would strongly suspect, however, that the old computer WAS OK, and
the EGR is the problem.
Put the old computer in first. Then test for codes again to see if
the bad computer code is gone, and all other codes the same.

ALSO, make sure the throttle body is cleaned up properly, including
the Idle Speed Controller.

 

My experience with CTC has not been terribly positive - and I worked
for them for a few months almost 20 years ago. What I saw would curl
your hair.

 

I've still never seen documentation saying this is "Start of Codes" --
both my '87 Le Baron and my '95 Neon service manuals say this is
"battery recently disconnected." I just went and checked codes on the
Neon and only got a 55.

Harmless in any case.

It's not in either of my FSMs, but
http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-99.htm
claims it's "Speed control power relay circuit."

To my way of thinking, a code like this includes an implicit "don't
believe anything else I told you." I'd replace the computer first,
and see what happens to your symptoms and the codes (I have seen the
later posts in the thread -- I wonder if your shop actually replaced
your computer...).