Broken down van

HCOUPLAND_69

MEMBER
1994 DODGE CARAVAN
230,471 MILES

Our caravan 3 L v6 motor has been acting up for 3 months now and it happens when it rains. What it does is sputter and misfire as if not getting enough gas then it recovers. As of 5 days ago it started to do the same thing but never recovered. As of today after I tested the fuel injectors it started to idle extremely high and will not kick back down. Its almost as if the gas pedal is stuck and its hard yo stop with the brakes. I think it may be a sensor but which one. Please help in desperate need of advice as we are stranded in a big city we do not know nor do we have sufficient funds for diagnostics and repair. Than you

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

If you think there's a defective sensor you can verify that by reading the diagnostic fault codes.

You can forget about injector trouble. That is unheard of on Chrysler products, and they won't cause the symptoms you described. A high idle speed is caused by a vacuum leak. Check in the area you were working for a hose that got cracked or knocked loose.

One thing to consider on the 3.0L is the distributor uses a dual optical pickup assembly. That unit rarely causes a problem but if it gets dust on it humidity in the air can condense on it and block the optical beam. One beam is used for cranking and low speed. The other one is used for higher speeds.

Corrosion in an electrical connector can also cause moisture-related problems. The corrosion forms when the rubber seals don't seal out water, and more water makes that corrosion more conductive which can disrupt sensors' signal voltages. While the engine is still cold and dry, spray water on the wiring harnesses and connectors to see if one makes the problem occur.