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My van is stalling at idle or when I slow down?

Tiny
PASTAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
My 95 Dodge caravan was running great until recently. It will run good for a few days then it will start stalling when you come to a stop sign or slowing way down. It did this for a day then it cleared up and everything was good. Today it started again. I can keep it running at stops by braking and giving it a little bit of gas at the same time. I got a OBD code (key switch off then on 3x) of 38 and 21. Code 21 is Oxygen sensor, but what the heck is 38. I can not find it any where, and yes it is 38, I did it 7 times and it always comes up 38. Will a failed oxygen sensor cause this stalling problem? I am sort of leaning towards a possible EGR valve problem in addition with the O2 sensor. Oh and I probably should add that the stalling problems has happened when the fuel level has reached just under a quarter of a tank.
Thanks for any help as I am a little stumped.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 AT 9:54 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, anytime there is a closed throttle issue, I take the throttle-body off and clean it, to start. And check the iac. I don't have any info on a code 38. These guides can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
PASTAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey thanks for the reply. I have found the problem and it is fixed. There was a bad vacuum line coming off the EGR valve that would collapse while the motor was running. Fixed that, plus a new O2 sensor. The only codes I get now are 12 and 55, which is a good thing.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
PEPLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,500 MILES
I replaced the air flow valve and the throttle position sensor; however, the vehicle, coming to a stop in gear, will fail. I tried to find the trouble shooting codes on your site but couldn't. I have a 1 4 and a 1 3 flashing signal. When the vehicle is first started in the morning (cold) it will idle. When engaged in gear a driven a short distance the idle will not work, the engine dies.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
95CAR-A-VAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Salut pepler.

According to my Haynes Sunday-Mechanic book, here's what they mean:

14* ** = MAP sensor ( Manifold Absolute Pressure ) VOLTage too low or too high
>>> MAP sensor input below or above acceptable voltage.

13* ** = Slow change in MAP idle signal
>> No variation in MAP sensor signal detected.
or
13* ** =No change in MAP from Start to Run
> No difference is recognized between the engine MAP reading
> and the stored Barometric pressure reading.

*=These codes light-up the Check Engine Soon.
**=These codes light-up the Check Engine Soon on cars with Special California Emissions Control.

Did you read some of Theese Excellent infos @t:
https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_does_my_engine_die_stall_at_idle.htm

I'm having a similar problem:
1995 Caravan, V6, 3.3L, automatic, 225 000 KM
It starts but will not idle! Runs smooth when i give it gas.
btw > I live in Montréal, Canada. Cold and/or wet winters!!

Looking around Battery Voltage versus ECM...

Good Luck Dude!
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
95CAR-A-VAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Solution:=:=>
Replaced The Old, "it's Dead! Jim", Battery.
Circa June 2006.

And now it's OK, xcept for the Radio-Clock that still won't come on!
Starts, idles and drives.

Did not have to replace,
, any symptomatic sensors/valves :
Being;
, IAC= Idle Air Control Valve,
, MAP= Manifold Absolute Pressure,
, EGR= Exhaust Gas Recirculation
, Oxygen sensor, on Exhaust Manifold,

Darn CONmputers!
Electronics should have NEVER been Mixed with Mechanics!
I can understand it for emissions and performance, butt! Error intented = Cause it's a pain in thee!
But Pe-Leazzz! Make them better than Windows! I mean PLEASE! Come! On!

As for the radio-clock that will not come on, I'm now suspecting said accessory.
But who knows, , if it's still because of that Darn little silver box! = Dah CONpiouter.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEANNA HAYMER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,000 MILES
My car cuts off at every light. But long it is on the expressway it dont cut off. Someone told me that is the sensor messed up, but I dont know where the sensor is located
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
With idle issue, I take the throttle-body off and clean it. Check the iac/idle air control. Any applicable mil codes? How long since a tune-up?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LINDA STEPHENS-MANN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Performance problem
1995 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

van has been running fine till now, left lights on 2 days ago, charged battery, now it stalls any time I slow down. Have to keep my foot on the gas to keep her going. Had this problem about a year ago, replaced the coil pack and computer, everything ok till now. Any help would be appreciated.
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+1
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
First, if the battery was completely dead, the computer may have to relearn things until it gets back to normal. This shouldn't take more than a week. I doubt that you caused any damage, so this is a possibility.

Second, if the problem continues, have the computer scanned at a nationally recognized parts store. They will do it for free and then we'll know if there is a sensor problem.

Considering the problem happened after the battery went dead, it's most likely an electrical issue.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARPINCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
1994 dodge caravan stalls in cold weather till it warms up. Does not do this in summer. No code shows up when checked. Can smell some gas when it does this - restarts but you have to keep the gas slightly pressed to keep it running - 2 foot driving.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARPINCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Found a real simple solution to this!

1) bought a can of throttle body cleaner and followed the instructions.

2) bought a can of silicon spray for ignition systems and also followed the instructions.

End result - no more stalling!
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARGARET STEWART
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Put in new transmission now car wants to stall when you put it in gear
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
The battery was probably disconnected during transmission removal. You need to relearn minimum throttle so the engine computer knows when to control idle speed. Drive at highway speed, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.

Caradiodoc
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CANDLELADY55
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
Engine wants to stall when coasting to a stop, whether cold or hot engine
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
If your having a stalling problem that occurs when you take your foot off the gas and come to a stop, the throttle body may have dirt collected between the blade and the body itself, a small idle motor is used to allow air pressure to bleed into this area, it may need cleaning or replacement as part of this service.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CANDLELADY55
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
Engine will not stay running. Cuts out even whether hot or cold, when removing foot from gas pedal. Nothing wrong with vacuum lines, no mice under the hood building nests/blockage. Fuel line antifreeze has been added. Nothing different.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Your ignition and fuel systems have stored fault codes when these issues arise.
Sometimes you can tell the code in this manner.
Turn the key to on, then off, on, off, on again and watch the check engine light. All within 5 seconds, it can be repeated over and over.
It ends with a 5 and a 5. These nubers help a technician find a starting point to his diagnostic procedures. A single flash followed by three quick flashes would be a code 13, it is a map sensor, I used this as an example. Hope it helps, as the key codes were fairly accurate for hard codes in 92.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREG7
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • DODGE CARAVAN
Dodge Caravan Sport, 1995, 100k, v6. When it's hot outside near 30 degrees Celcius my van stalls when slowing down, approaching a stop. I found a way around it by putting the van in neutral as I approach the stop. Another problem, which I wonder if it is or isn't related, is that many times when putting in reverse, or accelerating I hear a thump. Is it the transmission? Is it 2 different problems? One guy says it's the transmission because he stated that if "the putting in neutral solution" worked then it was the transmission. A transmission repair shop said my fluid was dark and smelled burnt. He suggested a transmission overhaul.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If your torque converter clutch is sticking on (4 spd auto) then it can kill the engine when you come to a stop. Have it scanned for any trouble codes. The thump could just be a motor mount
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)

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