94 Voyager codes: 12, 17, 32, 37

[raymarquise]

1994 Voyager, 3.0L engine.
A week ago when the temperature dropped to -17C, and I started the car, at idle it sounded like a cylinder was missing. That lasted about 5 minutes, then it ran fine. Happened a few more times, but always ran fine after a few minutes.
Tonight, when it started, again the sound and feel like a cylinder is missing. However, even after the engine reached normal operating temp it still did not run fine at idle. I drove it home and while driving, with the engine above idle, it ran fine. But when I came to a stop, and the engine reached idle, it started to miss again and stalled a few times.
I checked the codes and found these.

12- battery recently disconnected
17- engine stays cool too long - bad thermostat or coolant sensor ( I just recently changed the thermostat because the old one was broken. I do not get much heat in the car as it is right now.)
32- EGR problem
37- I cannot find what this code means.

The sound and feel of a cylinder missing could be caused by a problem with the EGR, but how do I find out whats wrong?
Any help in diagnosing this problem will be much appreciated.

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by raymarquise

1994 Voyager, 3.0L engine.
A week ago when the temperature dropped to -17C, and I started the car, at idle it sounded like a cylinder was missing. That lasted about 5 minutes, then it ran fine. Happened a few more times, but always ran fine after a few minutes.
Tonight, when it started, again the sound and feel like a cylinder is missing. However, even after the engine reached normal operating temp it still did not run fine at idle. I drove it home and while driving, with the engine above idle, it ran fine. But when I came to a stop, and the engine reached idle, it started to miss again and stalled a few times.
I checked the codes and found these.

12- battery recently disconnected
17- engine stays cool too long - bad thermostat or coolant sensor ( I just recently changed the thermostat because the old one was broken. I do not get much heat in the car as it is right now.)
32- EGR problem
37- I cannot find what this code means.

The sound and feel of a cylinder missing could be caused by a problem with the EGR, but how do I find out whats wrong?
Any help in diagnosing this problem will be much appreciated.

Her is another site for codes that may help:

http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html

DO not worry about code 12

When you changed thermostat where you able to get all the air in system out of it? Did you turn to full heat with fan running? Could also be that your coolant sensor is bad and telling the ECM that engine is running cool and therefore the engine is running rich from the info ECM is getting. Where does the gauge show for normal operating temp?

WHen was last tuneup?

Check for vacuum leak and faulty EGR or EGR Electrical problem. To check for vacuum leak spray with carb cleaner engine will increase in rpm when you find a leak.

Do you have a factory towing package?

Did you not get a code 55 meaning end of codes?

I would disconnect battery for about 5 minutes to clear all codes and if check engine lite comes on again concentrate and the present code.

Hope this helps

[Bear]

Code 37 (are you ready, this is a mouthful)
An open or shorted condition detected in the torque converter part throttle unlocksolenoid control circuit.

[raymarquise]

I did get a code 55.
I changed plugs, wires, distributor cap one week ago after the problem started.
I do not have a towing package.
I will try to find a leak with carb cleaner.
Thanks for your help.

[raymarquise]

The code 17 - engine cold too long, may have been set a few weeks ago when my thermostat broke and stayed open - I got no heat in the car.

[raymarquise]

Started up in -11C temp today,and it idled rough for about 5 minutes, then ran fine. Seems that only in the cold it gives this problem.
What can cause this rough idling in the cold??
Help!!

[tempfixit]

Have you cleaned the throttle body recently? ALso the IAC could be carboned up so plunger is not closing correctly. Have you tried disconnecting battery to clear all codes and reset computor?

[raymarquise]

At the advice of a friend who is a mechanic, I changed the EGR valve today. I will know if it helped when it gets cold again. Will post the results.