99 Venture

My called me this morning and told me that her CEL came on her 99. I realize that without the codes there isn’t too much point in speculating. I will read the codes over the weekend (I have my own code reader). I was wondering though if there are any notorious failures with this particular year. I am aware of the gasket trouble. In fact had we them replaced while still under warranty. She is not experiencing a misfire (light is not flashing).

If anyone knows of some common problems that will surface over time please let me know.

It could be any one of a hundred different things. Get the code and go from there. It may be something as little as needing a tune up to something more serious.

I realize that I need the codes. I just wondered if there were common, bound to occur.... items on the 99s.

Anyway, I read the code.

It is P0300 - random/multiple misfires.

This is scary as it could be serious. The first thought is the intake gasket. Of course it could be the coil pack, fuel pressure..........

I wonder however why this code also doesn't give any cylinder specific codes. I also wonder why the CEL wasn't flashing. In fact the light went out by itself on her return trip home.

The misfire must have occured more than once as the CEL is commanded on only when it receives the same code within 20 (40?) drive cycles. I think it is similar to turn it off. Therefore it must have happened the first time 20 (40?) drive cylces ago to enable it to come on in one trip and off in the next trip.

Anyway.................and ideas on random misfires.

The vehicle is on original plugs but I don't think we are at 100,000 KM yet

While the engine is running,spray the sparkplug wires with water from a hand held spray bottle at night and look for any signs of electricity leaking from the sparkplug wires. Your wires might need replaced due to current leaking.

Occam's Razor - one should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything. In other words, the simplest explanation is often the correct one.

Plugs/Wires would be the first step. It's a fairly cheap and simple although time consuming due to how the engineers designed our vehicles. You may not be "due" for new plugs, but it definitely isn't going to hurt. Pulling the front ones might give you an indication what the back ones look like. If the front ones are very good, the back ones likely are as well. If the front ones are shot, so are the back ones.

If plugs don't do it, you might also look at your EGR system to make sure it's functioning correctly. Your upstream O2 sensor also may be on the fritz and giving the wrong reading causing the misfire but not wrong enough to throw an HO2S DTC.

An intake leak isn't likely to cause a misfire. Typically when the intake leaks it will leak coolant into the block with the oil, not into the cylinder. Quick tell-tale sign is a mayo-like substance in your oil cap. If you have anything fresh looking, get it checked out ASAP.

LOL..........I like the idea of the simplest solution. I habitually think the worst.

Good advice in regards to the plugs and cables. It can't hurt to repalce them.


Thanks for tha advice regarding the intake. I was thinking that a leak could cause coolant into the intake and thus cause some misfires. Your information points towards the intakes leaking else where and not between the coolant passages and the intake stream so I will put that out of my head for now.

Thanks

Mine also sends the same code... when it's cold it pops via air intake.. ans spurrers and bucks and sends the Code P0300 if it is warm it runs beter but not 100% ...

*************** update ************

I dissconnected the MAF sensor and MAN it is like a new van..
I hit the gas it spins the tires and takes off.. hasvent driven it fat or let it warm up.. but dose this mean it's a bad MAF ????