1996 Dodge Caravan stalling out

CONFUZIN

MEMBER
1996 DODGE CARAVAN

Engine Performance problem
1996 Dodge Caravan Two Wheel Drive Automatic 196000 miles

i have a 1996 dodge Grand caravan, my problem is the every time I start the vehicle, it starts and then automatically stalls out, do you know what they problem is?

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,741 POSTS

The problem is it stops running!

What have you checked so far? Which engine do you have? Was the battery recently disconnected or run dead? Does it do this at stop signs or just when you start the engine? Will it restart right away? Will it stay running if you hold the gas pedal down a little?

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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 1:02 PM

THOMASCARES88

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I had a similar problem. This is my problem and the answer this site gave me. I havent soolved my problem yet so if any one as any ideas let me know. But maybe if we have the same problem this will help you too.

Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 131222 miles
ME--
My Dodge Grand Caravan's engine seems to choke up and die when I put it into gear from park. I can turn the key and she will turn over but as soon I take it out of park (into any position, drive, reverse, etc.) It stalls or something, the engine just cuts off. But if I put it directally into neutral with my foot on the gas to keep the RPMs up higher than idle the engine wont cut off until I let the RPMs drop again. From my limited knowledge of cars and the research i've done (including on this site) I want to say it is a fuel pump problem. However I would like a professional's opinion before I start unscrewing nuts and bolts all willy-nilly. Please advise!

Car Pros--
If once you get it moving down the road and it runs and drives OK, it's not a fuel pump or filter problem. I would look at the idle air control (IAC). This little unit is supposed to compensate for added engine load ie. In gear, ac, headlights etc. It may just have to be removed and cleaned with regular carb cleaner.

And try what Caradiodoc said. Hold the gas down a little. If nothing else maybe it will show you if our problems a the same or not.

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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 1:02 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,741 POSTS

Hi ThomasCares88. Did you recently have the battery disconnected or run dead? If so, drive at highway speed, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals. When this occurs, the engine computer will relearn minimum throttle. Once learned and put in memory, the computer will know when you have your foot off the gas pedal and it must be in control of idle speed.

A passage around the throttle blade used to commonly become plugged with carbon on the 3.0L engine, but I think that's less common now with the current fuels. When you crank the engine, you should get a nice idle flare-up to about 1500 rpm for a few seconds, then it will come down to around 800 rpm. If that happens, the Automatic Idle Speed (AIS) motor is working and the passage is clear. If you have to hold your foot on the gas to get the engine started, I'd be looking at the AIS motor or passage first.

As a note of interest, my 1988 Grand Caravan developed the same problem about five years ago. I had to hold my foot on the gas pedal at every stop sign. After a year of this irritation, I started swapping parts from another van I own. Engine computer and throttle position sensor didn't help. Passage was clean. I was not able to run engine speed up and down with Chrysler's plug-in hand-held computer, so I knew the AIS motor was not working as designed. At that point I gave up without performing any wiring checks. Another year later I noticed the engine was idling fine and I was getting the idle flare-up at start-up. It's now three years later, and it's still idling fine. Two years of misery and I still don't know what caused it. Dirty or corroded grounds were suggested, but I'm not about to start poking around with what's working!

Caradiodoc

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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 1:02 PM