Throttle problems??

spudler · #1 07-21-2009, 04:31 PM

I have a 92 caravan with the 3.0 litre and AT transmission. I am having some problems right off idle it wants to die (stall out) and also when on the freeway it seems to fall flat then if I push it farter down(accelelrator) all of a sudden it picks up again. Now what is really weird is it does this some times other times it seems to drive ok and I have no check engine light or anything but it has died in intersections some times so it is very unsafe to drive this way.
could it be the TPS sensor anyway I can check what is the problem or do I need to take it to a shop?

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spudler · #2 07-21-2009, 05:02 PM

I seen where someone mentioned Autozone and that they will check for codes??
I have never used them for that because my other cars were to old and they said they couldn't check the codes. Will they be able to check on a 92? that would save me a lot of money and I may be able to change whatever is the problem without having to take it to a shop.

lowdownkilla · #3 07-21-2009, 08:23 PM

Did you ever figure out what the problem was? -

I have a 1992 3.0 liter caravan that is doing the same thing. It idle's fine and if you get on the gas it is fine. But when you barley give it gas, it wants to stall out and bucks. I have replaced the fuel filter, ran all kinds of stuff through the gas to clean it out, cap rotor, plugs, wires. I do not know where to turn to next.

As for checking the codes, the check engine light has to come on when you start it to give you a reading. My check engine light came on only a few times in the last year it has been doing it, it is not starting to get worse, but no codes. It actually threw the codes when it was acting fine too.

Any suggestions? If you have any sensor suggestions, please give me good details or pictures of where I can find them, as all I have done is about my max, before messing with computer stuff.

spudler · #4 07-21-2009, 09:15 PM

I went to Auto Zone and the guy said that because I have no check engine light it was probably the TPS so I got a new one and replaced it. It was $37. I drove it around the block seems better. I tried a bunch of stuff in the drive way and all seems better. I will be driving it a little later to run some errands and I will post if that has fixed it or not. I sure hope that fixed it because I have no other ideas what could be causing it with no check engine light I get no codes.
I also disconnected the battery for about 30 min while I was changing that I believe that also resets the computer.

spudler · #5 07-21-2009, 09:20 PM

I don't have any pictures but the TPS is the sensor if you look at the throttle body where the cables are it is on the back side has 2 torx screws about a 12 torx I believe it was it was really easy to change. I was suprised because on my Jeep I had I had to then adjudt it at closed throttle to a certain resistance this one looks like it has no adjutment just make sure when ya install it you have to put it in a little to the right of where the bolts line up to engage the throttle plate then rotate it to the left about 1/4 " to line up the bolt holes. I have a Dig camera let me know if ya need a pic I could go get one real easy.

lowdownkilla · #6 07-22-2009, 01:30 PM

Last night I was checking stuff out on it, as it had been bucking and stalling really bad. I took out the air filter, which is clean but one side keeps blowing back oil.. not sure if that is common or not, but I took out the filter screen paper from where the EGR valve blows back. It was pretty dirty, I cleaned it all out with carb cleaner and kind of cleaned that part up a little bit. That made a big difference. It did not do it for a while, then it started doing a little bit last night (but it was way better than it has been doing it) I drove it 30 miles to work this morning and it did not do it at all. I am thinking that EGR valve is all gummed up and not opening which what might be causing it. local parts stores do not carry the EGR valve, but they sell the gaskets for like 6 bucks. I think I might take it all off and clean it all out and put it back on to see if that does it. Let me know what you find out on your end too. Check in your air box adn see if that screen in the back corner is really dirty.

spudler · #7 07-22-2009, 04:15 PM

Thats good to know. I noticed mine in that area had a lot of oil there too. I think I may take that off on mine and clean it up too, as far as my issue though it seems to have fixed it, of course mine may have been a little diffrent issue than yours. Sounded about the same but mine seems to have been fixed by the TPS.

master tech · #8 07-22-2009, 11:35 PM

Remove the EGR tube and clean, 3.0L were bad on clogging up the tube. Also ck the PCV valve too.

spudler · #9 07-23-2009, 10:43 PM

ok today it started all over again just like before maybe a little worse. I disconnected the battery then waited about 5-10 min then reconnected battery and drove again just fine. What could be causing the computer to get all messsed up info and then once I reset it all is good again?? Also I get no check engine lights at all during this time. I have checked to make sure check engine light is working when I go to start it comes on then off as soon as engine starts so I assume it is working properly.

spudler · #10 07-24-2009, 04:43 AM

ok now its acting up more. I changed the TPS and it went a couple days good. Today it acted up so I disconnected the battery and all was good, drove around a bit. About 4 hrs later it did it again on way to the store. I disconnected battery while in store when i reconnected it after shopping all was good again drove around to a couple more stores and home no problems. what in the world could be causing the computer to go wacky like that?? Is there a way to see if the computer is bad?? what do one of those cost?? are they really expensive??