1990 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3l V6 Stalling/rough idle

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

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 snipped-for-privacy@cox.DOO-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?

Celtfire wrote:

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

Ive just run into a terrible problem with my 90 Dodge Caravan. Alot of gasoline is getting into my oil. When there is alot of gas in there.........of course the oil pressure drops and my car stalls (I also realize that this is a dangerous condition). Anybody have a suggestion on how to fix this

Thank

-- ADeMarco

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gasoline is getting into my oil. When there is alot of gas in there.........of course the oil pressure drops and my car stalls (I also realize that this is a dangerous condition). Anybody have a suggestion on how to fix this?

A leaking injector.

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

fuel injector? I just recently replaced the Rocker Assembly, could there be something I forgot to connect

-- ADeMarco

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be something I forgot to connect?

Nope

Okay, as you might have guessed, I'm not exactly Mr. Goodwrench. Are these difficult to replace? I'm seeing them on the web for about $65. Looks like something I could deal with

-- ADeMarco

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these difficult to replace? I'm seeing them on the web for about $65. Looks like something I could deal with.

there are six of them, how do u know which one?

Thanks for all the information you provided me. I now feel confident enough to fix this problem

-- ADeMarco

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