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1996 Dodge Caravan EGR valve

Tiny
JOHN WEST
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Performance problem
1996 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive 245, 00 miles

I just had my oil changed at jiffy lube and when I went to start the car, I heard a banging noise coming from the heater unit under the passenger side dashboard. It sounded to me that the vent door on the heater keeps opening and closing. The light on the dashboard says service engine soon. I had the folks at jiffy lube plug in their computer and it said "egr flow is insufficient ". They don't think the two things are related but I do. I believe the heater door and the egr valve are vacuum operated and I have a vacuum leak from the line going to the egr valve. Where can I find the egr valve on this car and check the vacuum line coming from it?
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 1:23 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Which engine do you have 3.0 3.3 or 3.8L engine. Let me know so I can help you out.
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
JOHN WEST
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  • 4 POSTS
My car is a 1996 dodge grand caravan with a 3.3 litre engine.
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_1996_dodge_caravan_3_1.jpg


It's near the throttle body.
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
JOHN WEST
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks. I found the egr valve and solenoid. Lo and behold, I found a broken vacuum line. I repaired it but I, m not sure it solved the problem. How do I reset the car computer so it doesn't say "service engine soon"? Also, The banging noise still sounds from the heater box under the dash. I might still have another vacuum leak. Thank you very much. You have been very helpful.
John
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your best bet to clear the code would be to go to a auto part's store like auto zone and have them clear your code. AS far as the banging you could have something broken or not holding vacuum or a vacuum leak. You will have to get in there and check it out.
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
JOHN WEST
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks again, I went back to jiffy lube and the reset my car computer and the warning light has gone out and it has stayed out. The door on the heater unit bangs for about a minute but then it stops. I have a feeling I still have a vacuum leak going to the heater unit. But first the vacuum line going there goes through a switching unit. Is this a powered vacuum unit? I still think the door banging in the heater unit is vacuum related. In any event, I'm grateful for your help and I will be glad to donate to your work.
John
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 1:47 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You have a recirculation door that let's fresh air in or close's it off to circulate only the air in the cabin. A blend door that regulates the temp of the air coming out of the vent's. Also a mode door that sends the air to the face windshield etc.I need to know what door it is your having issue's with?So the switching unit sends vacuum to the door?Let me know so I can help you further.
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
JOHN WEST
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I really don't know what this switching unit does, But the vacuum line comes across the engine from the right side near the accelerator cables to the left side near the coolant reservoir and the windshield washer tank. The vacuum line then proceeds into the firewall to where I think it goes to the heater box. I see no breaks in either of these vacuum lines. My car is a 1996 dodge caravan and I wouldn't be surprised that most of my vacuum lines and rubber hoses are old and deteriorated. Anyway, is this unit a vacuum booster or simply a switching unit? On another note, how do I donate to your site? I keep trying but the computer keeps telling me I have made an error.
John
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Here's what i would do rent a hand vacuum pump they rent them at auto zone auto part's.Here's a link to show you what i'm talking about http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-Vacuum-pump-and-gauge-tester-includes-24-in-tube/_/N-25jr?counter=1&itemIdentifier=2080_0_0_
You can use that to make sure you have a good vacuum source to the door and use it to make sure the door is holding vacuum.Try that and let me know what you find.
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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To donate you just click the link at the bottom of each posted response box that say's donate and follow the direction's. Try it again and let me know if it work's.
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 1:37 PM

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