1995 Caravan

Tiny
CURT.QUISENBERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I have a 1995 dodge Caravan, it has 120K miles. After driving for about 20 min the van loses power, almost like a governor kicks in, when this happens my check engine light will come on and my speedometer quits working, after a few minutes or seconds the power kicks back in but the speedometer continues to not work. This went on for awhile until yesterday when I lost the power and the van died. Now it will turn over but doesn't even begin to catch for ignition. Sugesstions? Ideas? Only paid a few hundred for the van so was gonna just scrap it but if it may only be a relay switch or something like that I may fix it. Any help would be appreciated.
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 5:44 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.

Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free. Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Hi guys. Excuse me for butting in. Chrysler made their codes easy to read when you can't get to a parts store. To read the diagnostic fault codes, cycle the ignition switch from "off" to "run" to "off" to "run" to "off" to "run" three times within five seconds, then leave it in the "run" position. If the starter ever engages, even for a second, turn the ignition switch off, wait a few seconds, then start the procedure over. After a few seconds the Check Engine light will display the two-digit codes as a series of flashes and pauses.

Count the flashes for the first digit. There will be a short pause, then the second digit will be flashed the same way. After a longer pause, the next code(s) will be flashed. The first code could be code 12. Disregard that one. The last code to be displayed will be 55. That means "end of message". If you think you misread them, turn the ignition switch off and back to run once to restart the sequence.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Doc is right about that and since this one is using OBD1 codes, it may be helpful but I have found on the newer OBD2 models that the flash codes are too generic and no where near as specific as the full OBD2 codes and therefore often not helpful enough.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 8:40 PM

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