2000 Mini Van

UNHAPPY MOTORIST

MEMBER
2000 CHRYSLER VAN
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
82,000 MILES

Van turns over but will not hold idle. It doesn't sound rough. It simply dies when you want to put it in drive.
Van started having issues I thought connected to sensor for oil light. Switch that tells light to go on was replaced. Van has had recent oil filter/oil change, points/plugs, fuel filter replacement, radiator flush, fuel injector cleaning, all belts in last two years, battery is about four years old, no problem in turning over. 82,000 miles.
Even a/c done two years ago. I have taken back to repair shop and of course it doesn't do it then. Now it won't hold an idle, so it dies. Help, I don't want to spend endless money on things that don't fix the problem.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

If it stays running when you hold the gas pedal down 1/4 inch, the Engine Computer may have lost its memory. That happens when the battery is disconnected for other service or is run dead. The computer must relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when to be in control of idle speed.

To meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.

If that doesn't work, observe if you're getting the nice idle flare-up when you start the engine. It should go to 1500 rpm then down to 800 a couple of seconds later. If it doesn't do that, find a mechanic with a scanner that can command the automatic idle speed motor to raise engine speed. The Chrysler DRB3 scanner does that in 200 rpm increments up to 2000 rpm. That will show if the AIS motor is working.

Caradiodoc