2001 Dodge Caravan Grand Caravan intermittant hesitation

2001 DODGE CARAVAN
112,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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COWLEGS
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  • 1 POST
2001 Grand Caravan, 2 wheel drive automatic, 3.8 L, hesitates intermittantly. Occurs most often during first minute of driving during first acceleration, but can also occurs during steady driving at 30 mph to 70 mph. Engine never completely stalls, although occasionaly during steady running feels like it stalled briefly but then restarted. Duration is usually a couple of seconds but occasionally can be rough for half a minute. Doesn't seem to matter if warm weather or cold, wet or dry. Have changed spark plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, fuel injection filter, have checked ignition, and there is no diagnostic code. Any suggestions where to check next?
Thanks
Dec 27, 2009 at 10:06 AM
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RASMATAZ
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  • 75,992 POSTS
Possible causes:

Oxygen Sensor
Catalytic Converter
Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)


Sometimes, what feels like a hesitation is actually ignition misfire rather than lean misfire. The causes of ignition misfire may include:

Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Wet plug wires
Dec 27, 2009 at 7:15 PM
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