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97 3.8L with occasional miss


97 Covered Van
09-27-2004, 03:22 PM
My 1997 Caravan with 3.8L started missing a few months ago. I have approximately 125K on the van. Ran very rough, so I got codes using the ignition switch. Code indicated upstream O2 sensor. Replaced that with little success. Also replaced the fuel filter. No luck. Pulled the plugs and discovered they were original and badly eroded. Put in a set of double platinum plugs and a new set of wires. Tested the coils at this time and they were within specs. The van ran fine for a period of time after replacing plugs and wires then started missing again; it even stalled one time. Check engine light was on again and code indicated no response from the camshaft sensor. Replaced this sensor and the van worked good again.

However, it still misses occasionally. Here is the scenerio. I go around a corner, let off of the gas, then accelerate lightly. Sometimes it will miss, not all the time, and never under any other condition. Turning the corner and lightly accelerating are the factors that seem to make the engine miss.

Since putting on the camshaft sensor, I have not gotton any codes. I had a friend (transmission mechanic) test it with his Snap-on code scanner and he did not get any codes.

I am thinking it could be the throttle position sensor, I just need to research how to test it.

Any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

97 Covered Van
09-27-2004, 03:35 PM
UPDATE: I HAVE THE 3.3L, NOT THE 3.8L. I wasn't thinking when I typed this.

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