Hesitation only under slow, light, acceleration
courtom
07-09-2007, 10:59 AM
I have a problem with my Dodge Caravan. When accelerating slowly at low speeds; my 2004 Caravan (3.3lt) hesitates and appears to want to stall. It never stalls and if I depress the accelerator further the engine seems to run just fine. It is only at slow speeds and only under light acceleration. If I accelerate from a stop (or at higher speeds) with a "heavy" foot, it runs just fine. It's only when driving slowly and with the slightest acceleration does it hesitate and appear to almost misfire or starve for fuel or air. At higher speed it is also fine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Has this happened to anyone else?
RIP
07-09-2007, 02:39 PM
A few possibilities. There's probably more:
Idle Air Control valve
Vacuum leak
EGR
Dirty throttle body
PCM
Throttle Position Sensor
Injectors
Start with the easy stuff. Change or clean and regap the spark plugs. Change the plug wires. Change the air filter. Look for cracked or loose vacuum lines. Dump injector cleaner in the tank. Clean the throttle body with spray TB cleaner. None of this works? Clean the IAC valve, EGR valve. Still bad? Determine how much money you want to throw at it and start changing valves and sensors.
Idle Air Control valve
Vacuum leak
EGR
Dirty throttle body
PCM
Throttle Position Sensor
Injectors
Start with the easy stuff. Change or clean and regap the spark plugs. Change the plug wires. Change the air filter. Look for cracked or loose vacuum lines. Dump injector cleaner in the tank. Clean the throttle body with spray TB cleaner. None of this works? Clean the IAC valve, EGR valve. Still bad? Determine how much money you want to throw at it and start changing valves and sensors.
vipergg
07-10-2007, 11:09 AM
I have a problem with my Dodge Caravan. When accelerating slowly at low speeds; my 2004 Caravan (3.3lt) hesitates and appears to want to stall. It never stalls and if I depress the accelerator further the engine seems to run just fine. It is only at slow speeds and only under light acceleration. If I accelerate from a stop (or at higher speeds) with a "heavy" foot, it runs just fine. It's only when driving slowly and with the slightest acceleration does it hesitate and appear to almost misfire or starve for fuel or air. At higher speed it is also fine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Has this happened to anyone else?
Just got our 2004 out of the shop today with something like this and they ended up replacing the EGR valve for $225 . Mine did have the check engine light on and I did know that it was a EGR code so I knew what was going on . They replaced it and it runs like new now . This only had 57000 miles on it too , its stuff like that crapping out so early that gives carmakers a bad name . Mine was doing the same as yours though , under very light throttle at about 40-55 mph it noticebly jerked but replacement did fix it in my case . You need to get the engine scanned for any codes
Just got our 2004 out of the shop today with something like this and they ended up replacing the EGR valve for $225 . Mine did have the check engine light on and I did know that it was a EGR code so I knew what was going on . They replaced it and it runs like new now . This only had 57000 miles on it too , its stuff like that crapping out so early that gives carmakers a bad name . Mine was doing the same as yours though , under very light throttle at about 40-55 mph it noticebly jerked but replacement did fix it in my case . You need to get the engine scanned for any codes
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