2002 Dodge Caravan intermittent stalling problem

[RIP]

Yup, forgot 4th gen van sensors are fixed. Shouldn't be a need for a spacer.

[nxm10]

Originally Posted by RIP

Yup, forgot 4th gen van sensors are fixed. Shouldn't be a need for a spacer.

Thanks for the info RIP,

If there is no need for a spacer on the crank position sensor any other ideas or suggestions on what else might be causing the stalling problem?

Thanks again for all the help,

[Alphabravo]

If the problem started after you changed the sensor, I would suspect the new sensor. It is not unheard of to get a faulty new item, especially an electrical item. I have had my share, and most came from the place where you got yours. So much so that I no longer buy anything there anymore. I even got a bad spark plug from there once, causing an intermittent miss that set me back a long time trying to figure it out. I would try another sensor. What caused you to change it in the first place?

[nxm10]

Originally Posted by Alphabravo

If the problem started after you changed the sensor, I would suspect the new sensor. It is not unheard of to get a faulty new item, especially an electrical item. I have had my share, and most came from the place where you got yours. So much so that I no longer buy anything there anymore. I even got a bad spark plug from there once, causing an intermittent miss that set me back a long time trying to figure it out. I would try another sensor. What caused you to change it in the first place?

Thanks for the reply Alphabravo,

I originally changed it because of a missing problem i was having with the van. If the sensor was bad wouldn't it throw a trouble code?

[wamaroe]

My 1996 T&C van was doing the same thing and left me stranded in a New Mexican wilderness. The problem was at a communications ribbon cable connection. The base (receptor)in the dash instument cluster panel has solder joints that, over time develop radial cracks that can cause a disruption of the low voltage circuit. Oft times people have reported fixing the problem with a sharp slap on the dash over the instrument cluster. The best repair is to remove the instrument cluster and get to the back of the cable receptor, then resoldering the connections. Be careful not to overheat the foil on the circuit board. It takes some time, but was an inepensive fix that worked for me. I hope this helps.

[RIP]

Crank and cam sensors are infamous for generating erronious data without throwing a code. Take a close look at the connection and harness. If all is well get a new sensor.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by wamaroe

My 1996 T&C van was doing the same thing and left me stranded in a New Mexican wilderness. The problem was at a communications ribbon cable connection. The base (receptor)in the dash instument cluster panel has solder joints that, over time develop radial cracks that can cause a disruption of the low voltage circuit. Oft times people have reported fixing the problem with a sharp slap on the dash over the instrument cluster. The best repair is to remove the instrument cluster and get to the back of the cable receptor, then resoldering the connections. Be careful not to overheat the foil on the circuit board. It takes some time, but was an inepensive fix that worked for me. I hope this helps.

Nothing is iron clad when it comes to the cracked solder joint issue but generally you will see several symptoms and not just stalling and it rarely effects 4th generation vans (01-07).

[nxm10]

Originally Posted by RIP

Crank and cam sensors are infamous for generating erronious data without throwing a code. Take a close look at the connection and harness. If all is well get a new sensor.

Thanks for replying once again RIP,

Should I Replace just the Crank sensor or replace the crank and cam sensors? I was also wondering if theres any chance the IAC is bad? I took the original one out cleaned and replaced it along the throttle body and that didn't seem to solve the stalling problem. The problem seems to be very intermittent last week it went two days without stalling at all, and yesterday at every red light i had to put it in neutral and "two foot it" to keep it running it would also stall as soon as i took my foot off the gas pedal to slow down for red lights or while coasting through a parking lot. And today it stalled maby 4 times all day.

[Alphabravo]

Originally Posted by nxm10

The problem seems to be very intermittent last week it went two days without stalling at all, and yesterday at every red light i had to put it in neutral and "two foot it" to keep it running it would also stall as soon as i took my foot off the gas pedal to slow down for red lights or while coasting through a parking lot. And today it stalled maby 4 times all day.

If you can keep it running by "two footing" it, then in my opinion you're not losing spark, so it would rule out the cam and crank sensors. I would concentrate on fuel delivery or air. Sounds like a sudden vacuum leak, maybe? Maybe look at your EGR for a vacuum leak? Although the EGR should throw an SEL. Or maybe the IAC motor, like you said. It's so tough when you're dealing with these intermittent problems, they are so hard to diagnose.

Good luck.

[tempfixit]

Does it make difference if the air conditioning is operating or not???

[nxm10]

Originally Posted by Alphabravo

If you can keep it running by "two footing" it, then in my opinion you're not losing spark, so it would rule out the cam and crank sensors. I would concentrate on fuel delivery or air. Sounds like a sudden vacuum leak, maybe? Maybe look at your EGR for a vacuum leak? Although the EGR should throw an SEL. Or maybe the IAC motor, like you said. It's so tough when you're dealing with these intermittent problems, they are so hard to diagnose.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply alphabravo ,

The van is egr deleate so I think I'm gonna try the Iac I can get one for $40 keeping my fingers crossed I will post results.

[nxm10]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Does it make difference if the air conditioning is operating or not???

Thanks for the reply Tempfixit,

No it makes no difference if the a/c is on or not.

[kpa2004]

I Had a problem w/my voyager skipping and stalling occasionally, Replaced the spark plugs, never happened again.

[mrtinker]

Hey, just to throw in a curve ball... Any chance the fuel pump is intermittently stopped working? Maybe it pumps up (starts) after the pressure equalizes but not when there's a higher differential pressure for it to overcome?

Maybe I'm just thinkin too hard?

[nxm10]

SUCCESS FINALLY!!!! I replaced the crank position sensor today that i bought from autozone, when i pulled it back out i found that the actual magnetic sensor on top wasn't out as far as the one i purchased from the dealer and from what i've learned on this board that will cause all kinds of problems for the van. So now it runs like a new van again! Thank you to everyone for the great advice and tips! Without it i would have probably would have dumped the van into a river lol.