98 Voyager Loss of power, intermittant start, no gauges and hesitation. Charming.

[lhomen]

1998 Voyager 3.3L 125K (before we lost the dash display)

We've replaced the fan relay, cleaned the battery connections and replaced the starter and transmission thanks to this board, and I am very VERY grateful.

I'm aware of the gauge/dash issue, and have recently seen a thread here describing a plug that possibly be loose that my husband is willing to tear apart the dash to find. He's not willing to resolder the connections this around. He's just concerned he doesn't have time.

The start issue is new. Before it was a turn the key and *click* issue. Now, I turn the key and it's a slow sluggish turn of the engine before it gets started.

The van has no power. I have to take a hilly road to work and really have to put my foot into it to get it to go. I have no quick accelleration, which makes merging onto a two lane country road a challenge with the morning traffic. (yes, there is traffic in the country )

Then there's the hesitation. For the most part it happens to me when I'm commuting. In the morning when I get to the end of my street, when I come to a stop the van lurches forward and seems to stumble. It doesn't come close to stalling, but it's very noticeable. This also happens on the way home from work.

The check engine light has been on for some time (but then the ABS, ALARM and Air bag lights are on continously.)

And the transmission that we spent $1400 on is leaking. GAH! And did I mention the pinging ringing noisy engine??

I hate this van. I hate unreliable vehicles. And from what I gather on this board it seems that I might need new plugs, a timing belt, possibly a fuel pump, a catalytic converter or vacuum hoses???

I just need some direction to help my husband. The shop manual has been completely useless. Any help that you can provide would be priceless.

Thanks,

Laura

[vipergg]

You need to get the computer scanned to see if there are any codes . It may need a tuneup ,how long has it been ? The other stuff you mention are longshots imho . The 3.3 has no timing belt , uses a chain , this should last 200K in normal driving . Fuel pump usually they either work or don't , you would have to have a mechanic read the fuel pressure to see if it is within specs . Catalytic converter , I have had many cars and never had one of these fail or plug up . Vacuum hoses could cause drivability problems if they are cracked or have holes in them , though I have a 96 and haven't seen this problem . As far as the starting if your connections are good and the battery has been load tested it should not be turning over slowly , something going on there . Make sure oil levels are clean where they are supposed to be on the diptstick.. If the engine is pinging badly then you need to fix that or it will destroy your engine . You can pull codes by using the keydance and watching the check engine light flash. With the ignition switch turn it on/off,on/off , then on and watch the check engine light , for instance a flash then a pause and then 6 flashes would be a code 16 . Write down all the codes and you could post them here . End of codes you will get a code 55 , 5 flashes a pause then 5 more flashes ....

[Buzzkill101]

Have your husband take a look at the throttle body. Chrysler used black rigid plastic tubes and they crack when they get old. I would have to jam the pedal to the floor and I got nothing. I went to change the EGR because that positions your throttle body etc and i found the broken tubing. You can get it at almost any part store and it takes seconds to do. I would also have the throttle body taken off and cleaned. quick and easy two bolts and some cleaner and wala all is good.

scanning your computer is good but it it's a vacuum tube you will get no error codes

Also did all this start happening at once? I would guess that the control module which is located behind the fuse block is bad. they run around 450 new and 230 at a junk yard.

Your tranny leak is easy. take the cover pan off and get rid of the crappy cork gasket. Go to a parts store and tell them you want a gasket compound and put that on. I had the same problem.