Stalling/ReStarting problem

[wx5tvs]

Hoping someone can help with this. This problem has happened exactly twice, once today and once about 1 month ago.

The first time this happened we were on the highway doing 70mph when van started stuttering/gagging/choking and of course losing power while it was doing so until we coasted to a stop. It would crank over fine and try to start several times but didn't want to. When it finally would start it was rough idling bad and would finally die. After you let it sit for about 5 min or so you could crank it and get it to rev pretty high and finally coax it up to highway speed by feathering the gas pedal, but eventually it would just repeat the same thing again. This went on for about 30 min and one time we finally just got it up to highway speed and it started driving fine and didn't do it again since....until today.

Today, a month later, we were in town traffic, going down the street about 40mph and it did exactly the same thing described about. About a mile from home it finally straightened up and ran right.

The first time it happened on the side of the road I checked the air filter (was somewhat dirty) and checked fuel pressure by means of depressing the schrader valve on the fuel rail and it WAS under pressure. Once I got it home the first time, I went ahead and changed the air filter and fuel filter for good measure. I though the fuel filter took care of it until the repeat performance today.

I just did the lamp flash code check and all I got was "55 end of codes".

I am at a bit of a lose to start looking for the problem being that it has corrected itself again. I need to find this as I have to depend on this van regularly for road trips.

Has anyone run into this before or have any firm ideas? Thanks in advance for any help!

[yogi_123rd]

I had two Chrysler cars with these symptoms. In the first case, a mechanic diagnosed it to be a fuel pump. After being $400 lighter in the wallet, the problem immediately returned. It ended up being just water condensation in the gas.
In the second case, the problem would always and only occur during a rain storm or wet weather. I ended up replacing every electrical part on the car before visiting the junkyard and geting a replacement computer. Replacing the computer solved the problem, but in retrospect I think the problem may have been that water was getting onto the electrical connecter to the computer.

[wx5tvs]

Thanks. I don't think this is the case this time. Both times this happened it was hot and dry.

[mhssez]

Originally Posted by wx5tvs

Thanks. I don't think this is the case this time. Both times this happened it was hot and dry.

I have had a similar problem that I fixed with putting the water remover in the gas tank. However after doing this several times after about 6 months the fuel pump did finally go. And at that point there was no pressure in the fuel rail.
I ended up ordering mine thru fosters automotive for 45. + 10 ship. If it gets to that.

But try the water remover first. I also used the injector cleaner so not sure which one worked. Can pickup both at the dollar stores name brand. :-)

[wx5tvs]

Thanks, but that was 6 months ago and that Plymouth POS is history now. It became one thing after another, with more and more repairs needed. I have a MUCH MUCH more reliable Ford Windstar now. I had one before I got the Plymouth and wish I had never switched. The only reason I did was my old windstar was totalled out by hail.

I will never own another Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge van again after this experience. My old windstar was very reliable and the new one seems to be too. Plus it doesn't rattle all the time in various places like the Plymouth did.

[wgroszko]

I have a 96 Caravan with 3.3 L engine that has been doing this on and off for 200,000 miles, in that time the dealer did all the obvious: engine wiring, sensors, fuel filter, etc. never solved the problem. Best thing to do is pull over, step on the gas @ 3,000 rpm for 2 min. and the problem clears-up. It seems to happen during the humid parts of the year, I believe that the problem is water in the fuel, and the chugging and stalling happens soon after getting a gas fill-up.

I think that the problem is a bad gas tank design, that allows water to acumulate at some low point in the gas tank. When the gas tank is refilled, a slug of water may be forced into the area where the gas pump sucks gas. This slug of water then gets pumped into the injectors, where it causes the stalling and chugging until it is gone.

If anyone else sees this pattern of humid weather, then chugging and stalling after refueling, we may have an issue for Dodge to fix.

[a.karrick]

this happened to me with my 1997 caravan and it was the map sensor

[speedrik]

Originally Posted by a.karrick

this happened to me with my 1997 caravan and it was the map sensor

Got a 97 also. For three years it has occasionally just died when slowing to turn or stop. Fires right back up, but sometimes have to feather the gas and brake to get going. Once you get it above and idle, it will do fine, only when let off. Particularly bad in winter. It has taken me 30-40 minutes sometimes to get it moving. Dry gas last year seemed to help some, but did not eleviate the issues. Also heard that because this is a pressurized fuel system, a little leak in the filler could reuslt un decreased pressure at the lower RPM? Oh well, 3 tranny's later, still running(onlypaid for one though - get the extended warranty)

[fs563]

I had this problem and both dealers and regular mechanics replaced a lot. It was the air inlet controller motor.

[fs563]

I had a similar problem. Mechanics and dealers replaced a lot. I paid for their education. Try the air inlet controller motor.