Engine shut off while driving?

Tiny
BOBSOPER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi I am having the same exact problem with my van it has been in and out of the shop for 2 weeks its a 1997 caravan with a 3.3 always been good all the sudden it would start to chug I would lose rpm and it would die seemed to run better if I kept rpms below 1500 weird sometimes it would go for a few days then bang your sitting on the side of the road hoping it would clear up I have so far replaced
coil pak
cam sensor
crank sensor
fuel filter
main computer
checked fuel flow 50psi
plugs
wires
it brokr down on me lastnight same exact problem if my mechanic figures it out ill let u know good luck
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NOFARM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
Electrical problem
1998 Dodge Caravan V8 Two Wheel Drive 138000 miles

My faithful 1998 Grand Caravan has suddenly taken to dying at highway speeds. I can be at 65 when suddenly all the guages start going wild and the car simply stops running. Sometimes I lose all lights, sometimes not. If I coast awhile, it may or may not start again but usually has to sit anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. It will then restart, sometimes going days without a problem, sometimes minuets.

I took it to dealer and had them go through the entire car. They fixed a hatch electrical problem, head gasket seal and oil pan seal. They did not fix the problem, however. They said it wasn't throwing a code.

Second trip to dealer. After they failed several times to duplicate the problem. Resulted in a $600+ computer or sensor replacement. (Sorry I don't know for sure) Because my van does not have anti-theft it required a new part so if that were the problem it should have worked.

The car is still not fixed and I recently discovered another 1998 Caravan owner who had the same problem. Rather than take chances in more cost than the car was worth, he changed to a Ford Explorer. I am a new widow with miles to drive, so I bought a new Durango for safety on the highway, but would like the Mini van fixed so I can at least drive it locally or sell it. The van, her names is"Iris", :wink: got better mileage than the new Durango :( and it still has lots of good memories for me of better times. Can you help?

Nikki in Kansas
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BECKMANWN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My 96 Dodge Caravan had a similar problem of dying at high speeds. My mechanic changed two different sensors that did nothing to solve the problem.

Later it was discovered that tapping the computer killed the engine. He replaced the computer and the problem has been fixed.

You need to get specifics on whether a sensor or the computer was changed. If it was not the computer itself that was changed, that could be the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NOFARM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Beckmanwn: Appreciate the reply. I need to get the car back to the dealer and have them look again.

In the meantime, I bought a Durango and wish I had worked harder on this problem. I miss my van so much.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDBROWN1969
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 196,000 MILES
I have a 1998 dodge caravan and the wife was driving home and she said it made some loud clunks like a tranny then kept dieing and she finnally got it started.I drove it and nothing happened but it did die once in the driveway in park. Today she drove it to work and it was fine until she got mto the next town( 10 miles )then it died. But took her about 15 mins to get it started it just cranked over.I took my truck there and switched her and on the way home it ran fine until it like lost power(but didnt die) and came right back and was fine after that
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Do you have a check engine light on
check for codes
cycling key on off on off on
should get the codes to display in the odometer area

also should have the fuel pressure and fuel pump checked
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDBROWN1969
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes the service engine soon light comes on and stays on.I tried turning the key on an off and I couldnt get any codes to show up on the odometer. Today I ran it drove it around parked it left it run until normal temp, then it died again and I had no spark, but after a few minutes I had spark and it started again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
No spark
suspect crank sensor and or ASD relay
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDBROWN1969
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Spark sometimes but not always
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
What you have for fuel pressure
also mark ASD relay and switch around
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDBROWN1969
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Not sure on fuel pressure. The asd is that in the control center under the hood with all the fuses. What do you mean switch it around. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Mark it and switch it with another similar one
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDBROWN1969
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok i'll try that ad let you know
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LINDA'S VAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
1998 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my van keeps stalling but if I release the gas pedal then it may not stall. We checked the battery, changed the starter, and replaced the fuel filter
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked fuel pump pressure?

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LINDA'S VAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes the engine light went on. No we didn't check the pump, how do you check the fuel pump pressure?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Here is a how to:
https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Let me know if you have questions.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LINDA'S VAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes the engine light is on, and don't know where the fuel pump pressure is.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
If the light is on, have the compter scanned. Many parts stores will do it for Free. Le tme kow what ou Fjdiiiiiiiiii
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HARLEYBOY_77
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
1998 Dodge Caravan 4 cyl

it will start and run as long as I give it gas but it runs great out on the road if I keep the speed above 30mph and I don't have to give it gas going over 30mph.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 12:38 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links