2005 Grand Caravan SXT. Code showing p0303 along with noticeable hesitation and rough idle.

I am guessing I will buy all new plugs and wires because the Van has 95k miles and I would bet they have never been changed.

The backside plugs on (I think) 1,3,5 cylinders look like they are tough to reach for the basic DIY'r like me... any words of advice or instructions on making my life easier changing these plugs and wires?

 

Looks are deceiving. Just reach around the back of the plunum. If you want more room, you can remove the wiper module / cowl assembly.





REMOVAL

1. Release the hood latch and open hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
3. Remove the wiper arms.
4. Remove the cowl cover.
5. Disconnect the positive lock on the wiper module wire connector.
6. Disconnect the wiper module wire connector from the engine compartment wire harness.
7. Disconnect the windshield washer hose from coupling outside the module.
8. Disconnect the drain tubes from nipples on bottom of the wiper module.
9. Remove nuts holding wiper module to lower windshield fence.
10. Remove bolts holding the wiper module to the dash panel (WIPER MODULE).
11. Lift wiper module from weld-studs on lower windshield fence. CAUTION: Do not allow wiper module to rest on brake master cylinder reservoir, damage to brake system can result.
12. Remove wiper module and set on bench. NOTE: If replacing the wiper tub, the components must be transferred to the new tub.

 

Just reach around each end and there's plenty of room. You may have to move the air cleaner out of the way and move some vacuum hoses from the drivers end.

 

Thank you for the replies. I did successfully change all of my plugs. I did have to go to store to get a 3" extension for my socket wrench. (I had a 9" extension for the front plugs)

To access the 1 plug I needed to remove the airhose from the filter box to the intake? of the engine. This provided my left arm with enough room to reach the plug.

I am a total novice and the entire job took me about 1.25 hours. About 8 minutes per front plugs/wires and 15 min for the back plugs/wires.

Replacing wires and plugs fixed the p0303 and van obviously has a little better acceleration and smoother idle.

 

I am glad to see this thread. I am going to change my plugs soon too on my 05 GC SXT. I had an 06 Caravan and I didn't even attempt it. It seems like there is a slight amount of more room to access the back three on the GC than there is on the Caravan. Am I correct?

 

Don't know about 06. Don't get me wrong... it was a tight squeeze...very tight squeeze... don't drop your socket wrench or new plug

 

Thx Nazran. I wasn't referring to the difference regarding the year. It was Caravan vs. Grand Caravan (GC). I used a Caravan for a couple years for my job, now I have the GC. And perhaps the 1.5 feet of extra length of the vehicle gives you just a tad more room to work to get those back 3. Not sure about that, but I do remember not even wanting to attempt it with the Caravn. But this GC seems at least do-able.
I might be wrong though. I want to look at a Caravan again to see if my memory is correct.

 

I just did my plugs/wires on my 06 DGC last month (first time every changing them)

I removed the wiper arms, wiper crowl, and hood, too about 15mins to take it all off, but once off,, you can see everything,

I did have to pick up a set of 2 arm pullers (I used the smallest one)
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-40966.html
marked the position of the wiper arm before I removed it

but other then that it was removing a few screws from the wiper crowl
8bolts(?) from the wiper module and pulling it off, after disconnecting the washer fluid line and the electrical conettor

marked the postion of the bolt on each side of the hood and removed it, then I had all kinds of room

I also changed out the pcv valve while I had every thing off, What a bear that was
so I wouldn't do the pcv valve inless you had problems