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Caravan/Voyager Starting and Stalling Problems

222 messages,  Last post on Nov 19, 2012 at 2:06 PM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Electrical, Van

Messages Page 9 of 23

#79 of 222 1997 Dodge Caravan Starting. by marytmanning

Nov 21, 2007 (5:20 pm)

I did fix my starting problem myself.
It had been to the dealer and hooked up to the tester.They could not find the problem but I noticed it would run for a couple of seconds and nothing on the dash would lite up.
Message would pop up saying Anti-Thieft.
I thought that sounds as if there is something wrong with the Anti-thief system that was a add on and not put on by the manufactor.
I disconected the (red wire) that was going into a fuse so far no problem it has started and stayed .
I sure hope this might help you.

#80 of 222 1995 Dodge Caravan 3.3 Cold Starting Problem by cobra_joe

Dec 17, 2007 (11:42 am)

I have a 1995 3.3 V6 with a cold start problem (175,000 miles) . Cranks over fine but when cold I must pump the pedal or the engine will not fire. Once started cold, I must feather the pedal to keep it running for less than a minute or it stalls. After a minute or so, the engine runs a little rough (skipping/miss-firing?) for 2-3 more minutes then runs great.
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This is where is gets weird. If below freezing, when the motor is stone cold, it starts right up and idles fine without touching the pedal!?!?
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Also, after 15-20 miles, the check engine light comes on but it continues to run great and the engine will start/stop without any problems at all.
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Leave it in the cold for a few hours (35-50 degrees) and you must pump the pedal or it just cranks.
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I cleaned the Idle Air Control unit, Oxygen Sensor, replaced the intake manifold gaskets, fixed vacuum leaks, installed new plugs & wires, cleaned and oiled the K&N filter, replaced the coil / ignition pack, fuel pump, installed a new battery and tested fuel pressure.
 
It now runs great but the identical cold start problem persists.
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I have had this vehicle for 2 years and this problem has persisted. During the summer months (65 degrees +) the problem seems to dissipate.
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During these cold New England winters, if I leave the vehicle outdoors (sub 35 degrees) for several hours, it starts right up (no pedal) and runs fine. However, I garage the Van in 40-50 degree garage overnight and every morning I must pump the pedal or it just cranks. It then miss-fires for a couple of minutes and then runs just fine.
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Also, I check my fuel mileage on every tank and it's always around 16 mpg around town and can climb to 20 on long highway trips. Also, it does not burn a drop of oil and the plugs burn very clean.
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It NEVER stalls once warm and it ALWAYS cranks over. The check engine light faithfully comes on after 15-20 miles of highway driving.
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I have had several mechanics look at it and it has stumped them all.
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Any ideas (particularly inexpensive ones) would be greatly appreciated
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Thanks,
 
Joe
 
cobra_joe_shotmail.com

#81 of 222 Re: 1995 Dodge Caravan 3.3 Cold Starting Problem [cobra_joe] by kuberr4

Jan 06, 2008 (10:21 am)

Replying to: cobra_joe (Dec 17, 2007 11:42 am)
I'm not sure, but it could be the Throttle positioning sensor, my 92 ranger acts similarly but by your description possibly worse, and i am in the process of trying to replace it myself, based on some research i've done this problem makes sense for my vehicle and sounds like it could be a possible candidate for your issues,

#82 of 222 Re: 99 Dodge Grand Caravan will not start [kuberr4] by jsaldana54

Jan 07, 2008 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: kuberr4 (Nov 12, 2007 9:23 pm)
I have a voyager minivan that would stall out at any time. I have been stranded on the highway one too many times. Talking with engineers at Chrysler HQ, I was to check the grounding of the electrical system. Second, I was to check the PDC (power dist. center for loose, broken or corroded wires). I took off my battery and removed 2 screws and rotated the PDC over to see the wiring harnesses. After an hour of checking each wire in each harness, I found one wire that was corroded and loose. After cleaning and re attaching that one wire, I have NOT had any more troubles with stalling. This is probably just one of many fixes that could be your problem. Good luck.........

#83 of 222 1995 Caravan 3.0L - Unexpected - Gradual start, dies, restarts then dies by tonye

Feb 12, 2008 (8:49 pm)

Have a 1995 6 cyl 3.0 L base Caravan with 55,000 carefully selected miles ( moms car)
 
Problems stared a month ago with intermittent check engine light/rough running. Mechanic replaced O2 sensor based on code.
Intermittent check engine light/rough continued.
Several trips to mechanic resulted in "dunno" as problem would not manifest itself.. ( thought it was the wife at this point)
They replaced ECM cuz problem finally appeared for mechanics and when tapping on ECM the check engine light would go away.
Problem returned, same error code and mechanic went with fuel injector cleaner.
Chec engine light did not appear but then out of know where engine just would die, luckily at gradual aceleration from a stop (engine was warm, no check engine light warnings on some occasions).
 
Mechanics went back to schematics and checked wiring and unable to find anything.
 
 Problem with unexpected engine loss went away for a few days but then returned, and persisted for several start/stop iterations. Luckily it was right after Carmax inspected and wrote offer for $750.
 
 Let it sit for an hour and engine loss after start returns. Note, it stays running if I keep rpms up, not around idle speed.
 
My guess is:
 
The vehicle has a "Micro-lock" anti theft device that is for ignition cutoff at start that I suspect may not be malfunctioning. Problem is I can't find boo on the company via Internet or local dealer that has schematics.
 
100k question now is:
 
What do you think? Any suggestions welcome!

#84 of 222 Re: 1995 Caravan 3.0L - Unexpected - Gradual start, dies, restarts then dies [tonye] by shipo

Feb 12, 2008 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: tonye (Feb 12, 2008 8:49 pm)
You might also want to be looking for a vacuum leak. If too much air is getting, it will snuff the van out at low RPMs.
 
Keep us posted.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#85 of 222 Re: 1995 Caravan 3.0L - Unexpected - Gradual start, dies, restarts then dies [shipo] by tonye

Feb 12, 2008 (10:41 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 12, 2008 9:01 pm)
Thanks..those can be worse then electrical.. but I'll go back to the tubes and hoses...

#86 of 222 Re: 1995 Caravan 3.0L - Unexpected - Gradual start, dies, restarts then dies [tonye] by jpf

Feb 13, 2008 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: tonye (Feb 12, 2008 8:49 pm)
How about ignition wires? Are they original? That could be a problem. Just a guess. Good luck.

#87 of 222 Re: 1995 Caravan 3.0L - Unexpected - Gradual start, dies, restarts then dies [jpf] by tonye

Feb 13, 2008 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: jpf (Feb 13, 2008 3:50 pm)
Original for now.. gotta bad feeling that I may be replacing something.. thanks!

#88 of 222 Voyager won't start by kmk1955

Feb 22, 2008 (10:10 pm)

After having a new transmission installed in our '98 Voyager: the car suddenly stopped running in traffic. It will turn over once then nothing. The battery & fuses are good. The relay in the fuse block under the hood "clicks". The starter motor is less than 3yrs. old. 3.3L engine, automatic.

Messages Page 9 of 23

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