1998 Grand Caravan stall problem solved

[gsaxon]

I had my van in the garage for over two months and nobody could fix it. It had been stalling intermittently (both while idling and while driving without any warning), and the dashlights and controls would go crazy. A mechanic friend of ours told us to check out the engine computer. The way we checked it was, we started the van, took a piece of wood and placed the end on the top of the computer (mounted to the fender wall on driver side), and then took another piece of wood and hit the first one (don't be afraid to give it a good wack). Sure enough every time we would hit the computer, the van would stall.

My husband had to leave (OTR truck driver), so I actually removed the computer myself (must take out battery, then take bolts out of the fuse box to move it out of the way), and also installed the new one myself. I also checked the new computer in the same way as we had checked the old one, and the van did NOT stall. That was in December, and the van has been running great ever since!

Thanks to everyone for your input. We tried everything you suggested (also some other things, such as MAP sensor), but ended up very lucky in the end to find the problem with the computer. Hope this helps someone else.

P.S.: The engine computer can only be purchased through the dealer and costs $395 along with the old computer. This computer CANNOT be returned.