1997 Dodge Caravan Engine surging up and down while idiling

PANNDORA49

MEMBER
1997 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
156,000 MILES

Hi,
I wanted to repost with better information. I have a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. The transmission was just replaced with a used one not rebuilt just used. At the same time I had my nephew who is an ASE certified technician do a tune up. It may have run rough now to me it runs rougher. Yesterday as I started the car I was sitting there and in a few minutes it started to do some surging up and down. I need some help I lost my job so I am unemployed as this is the only car I have. The check engine light is not on. Any help PLEASE! Sandyparris14@yahoo. Com I amnot sure how to answer individual answers here but I will try. I am comouter saavy and understand cars when explined to me. I am desperate for help, it all takes money.

1 Reply

MARKYMARKY

MEMBER
1 POST

I am going through the same issue with my 1999 dodge grand caravan se. This rpm surge has happened to my vehicle last winter. I disregarded it, then weeks later my van started to stall out. I changed my transmission fluid and cleaned the sensors. This maintenance fixed the problem. It is now a year later and the problem returned. A few weeks ago I noticed the flux of rpm when initially starting my van. Today I stalled out exiting the freeway. I've been doing some research and I think that to fix this "rpm flux" is to clean the throttle body and air intake sensor with some intake cleaner or carborator cleaner. Cleaning the egr valve will also help solve this problem. Tell your nephew to google "intake cleaning" and ask him to clean up your egr valve, throttle body and air sensor. Be careful not to damage any sensors. An indication that this is the problem is that your van make idle low when coming to a stop. Eventually, it may stall out. After "intake cleaning", you could have an auto shop change your tansmission fluid, this should be done every 15,000 - 30,000 miles. I will be doing all of this to my van tomorrow, good luck!