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Engine is stalling at idle?

Tiny
VAN TROUBLES
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 219,000 MILES
I have a 1999 Dodge Caravan that has developed an odd problem. In park the engine will begin to idle roughly. When I begin to drive it works fine until I either coast or apply the brake. The vehicle then keeps stalling at low rpm for a while and then it seems to fix itself. This problem comes and goes and I find that odd. One day it works fine and then the problem comes back. I think it may be a Battery problem or maybe a dirty fuel filter. Any other suggestions?

Van Troubles
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Friday, November 28th, 2008 AT 2:05 PM

48 Replies

Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Start with check your idle air control motor. Sounds like it is sticking. Rough idle usually means vacuum leak. So, check and make sure that all your vacuum hoses are good and connected. Also check your EGR valve, making sure it is not leaking or plugged up. 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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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 12:15 AM
Tiny
VAN TROUBLES
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey thanks Zackman! You were spot on. I changed the idle air control motor and she works great!

Cheers!
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Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Glad to help.
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Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
KHAALID
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
My 99 dodge Caravan starts up but shuts right off unless I keeps my foot on the gas. The second I take my foot off the gas the van shuts off.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Sounds like the battery might have been disconnected or run dead recently. If so, the Engine Computer lost its memory and has to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it must be in control of idle speed. It also might not give you the normal "idle flare-up" to 1500 rpm when you start the engine. To meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals. Check out this
guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls-idles-too-high-low-after-dead-or-replaced-battery

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JSOMERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Performance problem
1999 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive 95000 miles

engine stalls when you come to a stop and while driving it like it wants to stall out but keeps running all my gauges drops `too low.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello_jsomers@dadeschools. Net

With engine off, check battery voltage.
With engine running(headlights, heater, radio on) check
charging system and check engine for DTC.
Get back to me with results.

Thank you and happy new year.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNOGRL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
Why does my van always die when I slow down or stop?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the following:

Idle air control motor, Throttle position and manifold absolute pressure sensors, EGR and PCV valves to include a fuel presure check.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PRUBIN112
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 101,000 MILES
My '99 Dodge Caravan with 101,000 miles on it has just begun to stall out when I begin to slow down. It drives okay on the highway or street when going above 30 or 40 but stalls as I slow down. I am able to restart it and must begin to drive immediately or it will stall out again. I also hear a tinny scraping sound coming from under the van and almost sounds like it's coming from the rear passenger side. About 6, months ago it would stall out when I was idling and my mechanic replaced the ignition idler which did the trick. I think this is a different issue and wonder if anyone has any thoughts about this problem. The van is well maintained.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
It sounds like an exhaust noise. A pipe or muffler, and the idle speed control system is failing again. Dirt, contamination, or another sensor failure could cause this. I don't think they are related. Have your mechanic re-check the problem and have him check the exhaust system for this noise. It is unsafe to drive in this condition. I am happy you keep it maintained. It will last and give you peace of mind, safety wise especially.
Good luck. Bye
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOM AB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,365 MILES
Car stalls frequently after startup and when stopping
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked for vacuum leaks?

Let me know.
Joe
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-1
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Vacum leaks was checked first. Yes engine light constant always misfires. Is there a easy way to check timing belt?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
If the vehicle runs good other than this problem, the timing is good. THe random misfire makes me question other things such as the crank sensor or fuel pressure. Have those things been checked?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Oh heck no. It runs sluggish. With occasional backfire.I just purchased new belts, they are visibly worn, (cracked)If I remeber correctly, I beleive the tensioner pulley was changed last year. The smoke is blue, but seams to smoke less after oil change. Thanks Joe. Will post after belt change.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
After the belts, consider doing a compression test to make sure it is good. If it is running slugish all the time, I suggest checking the catalytic converter. It could be partially plugged if you have been burning oil. Too much back pressure can cause these symptoms.

As far as the timing belt, you will need to remove the cover to check it. Also, based on which V6 you have, you may have a timing chain.

Let me know. Also, bad valve seals will produce blue smoke, but clean up after driving for some time unless the guides are really bad too.

Joe
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Hi Joe: It looks like some how I got mixed up with the guy who has the stalling problem? I'm the guy with mis fire. No matter, we both may have the same problem. Anyway.I changed belts & also splurged on a new tensioner. At first, on the first run. Ran great. Wasn't sluggesh. Second run 2 hrs. Later, same thing. You may have something. With the cat.I replaced the upsteam o2 a couple months ago. It tripped a code all winter.I just erased & ran fine. The only doubt I might have about the cat. Theory is the second downstream o2. It should of fouled up by now, no? Rusty Ford
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
One would think so, however, the upstream is exposed to more heat and backpressure. Try disconnecting the converter to see if it runs better.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Unbeleivable.I guess I should of listened to the first trouble code. Misfire cyl.#4 Turns out #4 terminal on the cap corroded, arked and cracked the cap. Very small crack I never seen the first time I checked. That one crack caused mayhem. Duh. Will no better next time. Thanks for the tips. Oh ya. One last question. Since I purchased a new tensioner. It doesn't have a guide on the outer edge to stop from slipping off like my old one. Is it possible to un bolt the pulley on my old one & bolt the guide on my new one?That is all that Goodyear kit is right?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)

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