97 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L 2wd Still Running Bad
Posted in Ignition Systems | Asked on Jul 27, 2011
Below is the question about 97 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L 2wd Still Running Bad, Hello everyone I need some more help. Here was my 1st problem. I got the Van from a in-law’s. in-law. The van was sitting for about 6-7 months. When I got there the van was running. I drove it home and you could tell it needed a tune-up. The next day the van wouldnt start, so I did the normal thing and checked fire and gas. No spark, so I did some looking and found the Ign Coil was a common problem. Got a new one from O’Reilly’s. The van started so I did a full tune up,( all 6 spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filter, oil change and fitler, add a gas treatment (because it was sitting). Just to make sure that coil was working I took a spark plug wire and spark plug and I went to each one making sure the coil was firing at all 6. I also made sure the wires going to the coil was getting the volt it need. All for wires are getting 14v. I also put on a new belt. Ok hre is the the part I dont get, the van drive great i mean great. I could not believe the difference. Well that last a whole 3 days and now it is running like crap again. At stops the van ides really rough. once i even put it in gear it starts to idel rough, get it going and its not so bad. Go on the highway and it acts like its in limp mode. (no power and takes high pm to shift. I let the neg off the battery all night to hope the pcm or something just needed reset. No luck, I did let it run and unplug a each injector one at a time to see it there is any change, in nope that maybe i could find a bad injector or something. Funny thing is the van ran better for about 5 miles after i did that???? I need help to figure this out. I plain on getting a new fuel fitler soon, I ran out of money.
Just drove it home and it got terrible gas mileage. Only got 11.2? It was around 17. Maybe a 02 sensor?
O added fuel injector cleaner when it first started to run like this.( 2 times) when the van is running good the transmission shifts fine. It’s very random, I am going to try and clean the 02 sensors to see of it helps at all. I can’t afford any parts or shops right now.
can the ac make my van run like crap? it has been 100+ here and i have never turned off the ac. i turned off the ac and it didnt idle as bad at all?????
There are 3 Answers for "97 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L 2wd Still Running Bad"
Ok the rough idle makes sense..i have a 97 dakota…my timing was HORRIBLE..it had a HORRIBLE idle…have it checked with a timing light….that may not be it..but that was one of my trucks problems…anyway the rest is hard to say ….check your IAC and your throttle body (carb) clean that out good…and my truck shifts at hi rpms too…think thats normal maybe try to flush your trans fluid and change the filter in there..my trans slipped..so i did that and added the right trans fluid and some lucas trans fix…hasnt slipped since…and has the oil been changed? if not do that…i would run synthetic (i use mobile 1 in my truck) but only if the van has over 750-80,000 miles on it…just a guess hopei helped you out…my dodge was a mess for a while…then igot it fixed up….and now runs great…God Bless–Nick
Try running some fuel injection cleaner through the fuel system on it and see if that helps it any at all,it might just have a dirty injector on it that’s causing it to run like this,id also have someone run a fuel pump pressure test on it,this might tell you if the pump is going bad on it also,that or a bad 0-2 sensor will cause the mileage to drop real sudden like that,you need to have a shop test drive it and give you a hands on opinion on it,you could also have a tcc switch in the transmission in it not releasing on it and that will cause it to run bad and take of in a different gear,and that could explain why its running like it is,good luck.
Gary two of the main factors here to start with is when was the last time the transmission fluid and filter was changed and at what temperatures are the engine+ transmission are running at.Plus has the transmission got any transmission fluid leaks and what is the transmission fluid level at, also the gas tank probably had dirt and moister in the tank even before it sat for so long.Another factor is gas will brake down after sitting in any tank awhile so the fuel itself could be fowl or it could still have some fowled fuel in the tank.
It be a good idea to add some fuel enhancer to the tank and then see after that tank of fuel how it acts , plus changing the fuel filter is vital especially if the vehicle is that old and has sat awhile.Believe it or not Gary I recommend changing the fuel filter now then later after treated the fuel and using up a few tanks of gas change the gas filter again on it.
I’d also test the fuel pressure and change the fuel pressure regulator that sits on the fuel rail that has a 8mm screw holding it and has a rubber hose connected to it.Also check the air filter, PCV valve and have the auto zone etc scan the van for any possible codes existing on it.
The van probably ran better when you tried disconnecting the batter or fuel injectors bec the comp system had to readjust and reset itself internally and you probably got a richer air and fuel mixture for those 5 mins or so.
I’d highly suspect that the van could have rusty fuel lines or rust internally in the fuel lines and that could cause exactly the type of issues you’re mentioning.I know you said you’re low on funds but if you plan on keeping that vehicle awhile I highly recommend that in time you replace any of these old steel etc lines on that van for the fuel system and brake system.
Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way when replacing these rusty lines don’t put new lines beside the old rusty lines and check all the areas along the lines that use brackets etc to hold the lines in place bec most lines will rust and leak from exactly those type of places.
If you want to fix it up yourself Gary and save cash etc I highly recommend either purchasing a spare parts van or going to a good U pull wrecking yard so that you can get extra sensors or fuel regulators bec the fuel regulator alone from the dealerships is about 170 bucks or more and from different parts stores they run 60 to 100 bucks or so.I can bet money on it that changing the fuel regulator will greatly help the mileage on that vehicle in the long run.
Remember that even though some might say otherwise those vehicles transmission control modules should be put into the learning mode once the transmission is serviced or the transmission fluid is changed etc.Most of the transmission shops or garages with the proper scanner diagnostic tool can put it in the learning mode within a couple of mins for you.Also be sure that the belts are all okay and that the battery , starter, alternator , engine block ground posts and all grounds are clean and have a solid connection.