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My 2002 Venture hesitates and no one knows why!

2 messages,  Last post on Apr 12, 2008 at 5:37 PM

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#1 of 2 My 2002 Venture hesitates and no one knows why! by witchblade24 Apr 12, 2008 (8:44 am)
It seems to have all started after I hit a cat on the interstate about a year ago. Had no trouble with my van before that. Because of the damage the cat made we replaced the radiator unit which is also the a/c condenser (if I remember correctly). About a week after that replacement was made the van started hesitating on acceleration but only sometimes. Some days it would run smooth but others I'd be lucky to make it out of the driveway. We took it to the shop and they said it was the spark plugs. We paid around $300 for the plug change. 2 days later the hesitation returned and the shop then said it was the transmission. We paid $1800 to rebuild the transmission and less than a week later the hesitation returned. We left the ran sitting in the driveway for about a week, then it ran fine for a few days, then the hesitation returned. We took it to a new shop and they said we needed a fuel system service (fuel filter, injectors cleaned, PCV, EGR, etc). We paid around $200 for that and it ran great for 2 months! Hesitation returned, though, but not as often so it was easier to deal with. Just a few weeks ago it started being more frequent. Took it to a new shop and they said it was the catalytic converter screen/filter so there went $285. A few days later it was STILL doing it so NOW they say it's the intake manifold gasket and it'll be $800. This mechanic says he notices the temperature gauge going up slightly at a red light then it comes down again and that's a symptom. I've noticed it, too, but I hear the fan come on and the temp goes down...isn't that what's supposed to happen? Oh ,and the midst of all that my brakes went out so that was another $867.   I'm at the end of my rope. We cannot afford a car payment (car loan was rolled into mortgage) so we keep slapping these repairs on our credit card and I'm now having emotional breakdowns DAILY over this. My husband is not any way a mechanic and just when we trust a real mechanic they slap us with a big estimate for something they THINK might be the problem. No one seems to know exactly what is wrong with this van...the computer is not giving out codes. The only one it gave was the 02 sensor and after the catalytic converter was worked on the mechanic said it might just be giving out a false reading on that BECAUSE of the converter having been clogged.    He has no explanation as to why my gas gauge goes up and down at every turn, either. I keep thinking "THE PROBLEMS" is something in the fuel tank...maybe debris/dirt/junk is clogging up my injectors. The van ran great for 2 months after we got them cleaned last time but I kept using cheap gas so maybe things got stirred up again? Sometimes it sputters, backfires, hesitates and seems like it's going to shut off. Other times it chugs and sputters along and when I hit 45 mph it feels like something got unstuck and it got some gas and runs along. Idling it sounds fine, slowly giving it gas sometimes is okay too but when I have to give it more to get going then that nightmare begins.   I've done research on the manifold gasket and although I know it's a known problem wouldn't the gasket have been completely GONE by now if it was really the problem? How has no other mechanic even mentioned this as being a possible cause? How is this van not giving a code for this problem it's had for a year?    I'm at my wit's end and have no where else to turn!   Aurelia Replies to this message: 442dude (Apr 12, 2008 5:37 pm)
#2 of 2 Re: My 2002 Venture hesitates and no one knows why! [witchblade24] by 442dude Apr 12, 2008 (5:37 pm)
Replying to: witchblade24 (Apr 12, 2008 8:44 am) Hi Aurelia....   I have no idea what's wrong with your van but.....   I'm concerned with the fact that there are "no codes" in the computer. Everytime the motor hiccups, misfires or does something else strange, the computer saves the "event"...basically, it takes a snapshot of everything going on at the time it happens so a tech can access the records and figure out what is wrong.   Here's my opinion - I think your EGR valve has a problem...it typically has to be a disaster to set a trouble code and it takes a long time to get that far...do an internet search, ask a friend, somehow find out where the EGR valve is on the Venture...then remove it, clean it and replace it.   2 bolts hold it in...clean it with carburetor cleaner and a toothbrush...there is a pintle in the middle that should move up and down...clean it and make sue it moves freely. I'm not convinced that it was removed and cleaned when the fuel system was serviced as they usually don't do that...   Even if you can't do the work, maybe you have a friend who can? Good luck, post back with any questions...   BTW - As for your gas gauge, the Venture gas gauges typically start to have issues about 80,000 miles...the level sensor in the fuel tank is to blame...its an expensive repair, just keep track of your mileage and get it filled up every 300 miles.   John

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