2000 Dodge Caravan Runs rough Odometer Flashes Oil light co

Tiny
TOMINNC
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
The engine sounds fine until it warms up, then it runs really rough. The oil light comes on (its full) the battery light comes on (battery was dead had to jump it) and the Odometer flashes on and off. Wondering if it was something with the computer or an actual mechanical failure. Have not tried to scan for codes and don't recall the CEL being on. Any help would be appreciated.
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 AT 10:35 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If there is no knocking or ticking, the oil light is wrong. My guess it is dealing with a dead battery or the alternator. Have you had them checked?
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Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
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There is some noise, knocking sound, once it warms up. I would say it starts after running about 3-4minutes. I have not had alternator or battery checked yet. Would these cause the odometer to flash and oil light to come on. Hate to spend several hundred on a computer if it is say timing chain, distributor or something else. The odometer flashing is throwing me for a loop. It just started doing it one day when wife was taking kids to school so she came back and as she pulled in driveway it cutoff. I did take off the serp belt to see if maybe it was a/c, waterpump or bearing in something that is in the belts system, did same thing.
Thought about oil pump but friend said that is uncommon, maybe timing chain jumped but it runs idle fine until its warm. Confused!
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Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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An oil pump usually goes all at once. If you hear a knocking in the engine and the light is coming on, it sounds like a bad bearing which can turn into major repairs. You may want to get a mechanic oil gauge and check the oil pressure to make sure the light is working properly. Most parts stores will lend or rent them to you.

Joe
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Thursday, April 29th, 2010 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
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Okay, I checked battery and alt. The battery was bad, only charge to 15percent and alt was good. I replaced battery and cranked up and ran fine for 5-10 minutes then oil light came on. I checked for codes and had none. I did notice that when I turned on A/C it got rough so I will assume the a/c compressor may have issues but thats not important now, I am worried about oil light. I need to check oil pressure firstly, I guess I will hit autozone and get a loaner. I appreciate all the help so far it is just I don't have alot of free time and its really aggrevating.
Any other ideas would be appreciated as well.
Thanks.
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
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Also wanted to mention that there was some ticking noise but not until it warms up. If it is a bearing, which bearing would you be referring to? It is not leaving the driveway anytime soon so any repair info I get I will have time to search what needs to be done to fix it.
Thanks,
Tom
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I would recommend changing the oil if it is due and then check pressure with the mechanical oil pressure gauge. Let me know what pressure you are getting. As far as the ticking, usuall a rod or main bearing will knock when the engine is cold and quiet after they warm up because steel expands when it gets hot. As far as the ticking, I'm questioning a lifter. It could be from low oil pressure so let me know how much pressure you are getting.

Joe
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
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Finally got chance to do some checking. Oil pressure is around 60psi, this is me using a regular pressure gauge with 1/4 inch hose attached to motor. I have replaced pcv valve and hoses, thought it would not hurt anyway. I changed the coil pack, not it. I changed the EGR Valve, not it. Seems like something air/fuel related. A question I have is the fuel cap. If I remove the cap should I have some pressure released? I get nothing even after letting it run for several minutes. My honda and toyota have pressure released even after sitting parked for several hours. This is one time I wish I had a check engine light come on. I guess I will pick up a fuel cap since it is relatively inexpensive. Any ideas you have would be great.

Thanks.
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Sunday, August 15th, 2010 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If your pressure is that good and the light is coming on, the sending unit may be the problem. If the computer thinks it lost oil pressure, it may shut the engine down.
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Sunday, August 15th, 2010 AT 10:24 PM

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