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99 dodge caravan stutters
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Maxcat
New User
Jan 11, 2012, 11:02 PM
Post #1 of 6
(2442 views)
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99 dodge caravan stutters
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We have a 99 dodge caravan with a 2.4L engine and 133,000 miles on it. About a week ago we noticed that when we are slowly backing out of our driveway or starting to accelerate from a stop the van stutters briefly and we continue to push on the gas and it would go away until we had to accelerate from a stop again. Today we now have stutter continuously while giving it gas and the check engine light flashes on and off. But if stop pushing on the gas and allow it to "coast" the check engine light doesn't come on until we apply gas to it again. We know the obvious that its got to do with the fuel supply somewhere. A year ago we replaced the spark plugs and serpentine belt and power steering belt. We have checked the pcv valve and it rattles so we know that is not clogged. We are trying to keep cost as low as possible and fix this ourselves. If you have any help for us, we would greatly appreciate it.
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chickenhouse
Enthusiast
Jan 12, 2012, 12:34 AM
Post #2 of 6
(2406 views)
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Re: 99 dodge caravan stutters
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You will need to get the codes scanned but also, it sounds as if the throttle body could use a little cleaning. Pull the I A C loose,and clean inside the throttle (engine off) using an old tooth brush and clean as far in as you can reach, not forgetting small holes on the inside.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 12, 2012, 5:53 AM
Post #3 of 6
(2390 views)
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Re: 99 dodge caravan stutters
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You have a severe misfire going on. As Chicken stated, you need to have the engine controller scanned for stored trouble codes. You shouldn't drive it anymore until you resolve the misfire problem. The check engine light is flashing to tell you that you have a catalyst damaging misfire going on.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Maxcat
New User
Jan 19, 2012, 8:55 PM
Post #4 of 6
(2315 views)
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Re: 99 dodge caravan stutters
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So we finally got a chance to tackle this issue. We checked the codes and it came up: cylinder 4 misfire detected. So, we pulled the the spark plugs that we had replaced about a year ago. The first spark plug looked like it had some oil on it, but we couldn't find any oil leaks. The other 3 spark plugs looked ok. However, after doing some research, we found that it's not recommended to use platinum plugs (which was in there). So we replaced them with Champion copper plugs (pretty cheap too, $1.99 ea.) and replaced the wires. The wires had a gold/brown tint to them on the ends. Maybe the platinums were running too hot? We check the throttle body too, and that looked pretty clean. When we started the van up, after replacing plugs and wires, it didn't have a rough idle anymore. And the stutter is completely gone. Our next concern is, how oil could have gotten to that spark plug?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 19, 2012, 9:08 PM
Post #5 of 6
(2313 views)
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Re: 99 dodge caravan stutters
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Oil to plug? Just maybe it was misfiring which helps keep them clean. I also suggest with plugs to just get the OE ones and doubt most of the wild claims I see out there,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2012, 5:41 AM
Post #6 of 6
(2296 views)
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Re: 99 dodge caravan stutters
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If the oil was on the porcelain end of the plug, that usually means the valve cover spark plug tube seals are leaking. You have to replace the valve cover and tube seals to resolve that problem.
If it looks like the electrode end of the plug is oil fouled, that could mean worn piston rings or valve guide seals.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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