'92 Caravan Bogs & Sputters

[Amie49345]

I drive a 1992 Dodge Caravan and it has been bogging down and sputtering. The problem has been growing worse over the last 4 months. I had the fuel filter replaced but that didn't help at all. I'm wondering if anyone could give me an idea what the problem could possibly be. No lights on the dash come on and the probelm seems to be a lot worse for the first mile after I take off from a stop or I slow down. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jdl]

Even though there are no dash lites, check for codes anyway, if you haven't already. If you had access to a scanner, you could narrow things down a little quicker.

So it idles just fine in any gear? Does it act-up more on decel or when your trying to speed-up? Does it act-up more when the vehicle is cold or hot? I know you said the fuel filter was changed, was the fuel pressure ok? There are so many things that might cause the problem, we need to narrow it down a little.

[Amie49345]

It sputters a bit during idle, nothing too bad. It bogs down more while I'm trying speed up and has died a few times when I've attempted to turn a corner - so Both. For a while when it bogged down, it would be fine if I gave it more gas. Now when it sputters and I give it more gas, it acts like it isn't getting gas at all - even with the gas petal to the floor. I'm not sure if they checked the fuel pressure. I'll have to find that out.

[jdl]

Do you have any codes? You should be able to cycle the ignition key, to get the codes, if there are any. Turn the key, on-off, on-off, on, then watch the check engine lite, it should flash, you count the flashes. By on, I mean you don't start the vehicle, just turn the key till the dash lites come on, then off. As an example, a code 12 would be, one flash, a slight pause, then two quick flashes. Once you get used to counting the flashes, it's easy.

I can't rule out a fuel problem, but you might check the throttle position sensor. I'm not telling you to replace it, just check it. When was the last time you changed the air filter and had a tune-up?

[Amie49345]

It flashes 5 times then there is a pause, then 5 more...pause

Originally Posted by jdl

Do you have any codes? You should be able to cycle the ignition key, to get the codes, if there are any. Turn the key, on-off, on-off, on, then watch the check engine lite, it should flash, you count the flashes. By on, I mean you don't start the vehicle, just turn the key till the dash lites come on, then off. As an example, a code 12 would be, one flash, a slight pause, then two quick flashes. Once you get used to counting the flashes, it's easy.

I can't rule out a fuel problem, but you might check the throttle position sensor. I'm not telling you to replace it, just check it. When was the last time you changed the air filter and had a tune-up?

[earlyrizr]

I would check the fuel pump also,and it could possibly be a clogged cat..converter.what engine and how many miles?? just as a side note do you always buy your gas at the same place?

[Amie49345]

Thank you for your suggestions. My neighbors is taking off my catalitic (sp?) converter right now. He says I don't need it. The van has 79,000 miles and I go a few different places for gas but unfortunately the problem persists reguarldess where I get my gas. Thanks Again.

Originally Posted by earlyrizr

I would check the fuel pump also,and it could possibly be a clogged cat..converter.what engine and how many miles?? just as a side note do you always buy your gas at the same place?

[jdl]

Did you check to see if the exhaust is clogged?

If you live in a state or move to a state that does vehicle inspections and sniffer tests, your vehicle won't pass inspection with the cat removed.

You'll probably have to make a dummy pipe to take-up the space where the old cat used to be. I haven't done that in years and years. My state doesn't do vehicle inspections.

I hope that fixes your problem. goodluck

[Amie49345]

It wasn't the cat converter so now I'm having the fuel pump replaced today. A lot of people seem to think that could be the problem. We don't have sniffer tests here. Thank you again for your suggestions.

Originally Posted by jdl

Did you check to see if the exhaust is clogged?

If you live in a state or move to a state that does vehicle inspections and sniffer tests, your vehicle won't pass inspection with the cat removed.

You'll probably have to make a dummy pipe to take-up the space where the old cat used to be. I haven't done that in years and years. My state doesn't do vehicle inspections.

I hope that fixes your problem. goodluck

[jdl]

Have somebody do a fuel pressure test, before you change anything.

[martimouse]

I have a 1992 Plymouth Voyager 4 cyl. I also had tha problem of the car sputtering and dying going around corners like it was out of gas. It also would surge under accelleration. It has a new fuel pump already. Last weekend it died completely at a stop. Most people have suggested that it might be the control module. I am taking it off today to have it tested. You might check yours, too. I will be watching for your solution, and will share mine if I find one.
Marti

Originally Posted by jdl

Have somebody do a fuel pressure test, before you change anything.