Last fall we had an intermittent problem with our 97 Caravan running rough at times and stalling at slow downs, stops....but would restart just fine. Seemed to idle low right before it cut off. Took it to dodge and they found nothing wrong, they drove it for 2 days and it drove fine. Problem disappeared til now. The problem is back again, although now it drives rough, hesitates, lurches when stopping but seems to be much worse while running the a/c.

Any thoughts on what to check and what to check first?

Thanks

 

check battery is up to snuff.
whens the last time it had an ignition tune up?
IAC perhaps?
or possibly the EGR valve?

u gonna have to find out whats going from the equation, is it spark, fuel or compression?

focus on spark and fuel first

 

took on a short drive, a/c running/cycling definately has an obvious affect on it. It gets sluggish, rough running, odd acting and the a/c seems to cycle a lot. Wonder if something with the a/c system could be causing this?

 

Here s a TSB, I don't know if this what is going on with your van.
NO: 18-05-99
SUBJECT: Sags/Hesitation/Stumble/Start & Stall, A/C Bump Improvements, Addition Of Leak Detection Pump (LDP) Monitor Test
DATE: Feb. 26, 1999
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the powertrain control module (PCM) with new software (calibration changes).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
1997/1998 3.0L ATX Powertrains
Sags/Hesitation/Stumble/Start & Stall after a cold start in ambient temperatures of -7o - 30o C (20o - 86o F). This condition may persist for up to a minute into a drive cycle and is attributed to high driveability index (DI) fuel.

 

UPDATE....last few drives it's been fine....until TODAY...

after about 10 minutes on the road it began running rough/sputtering and cut off on us. Started ok. Continued to run rough.... hesitates greatly from stop to acceleration.... pedal to the floor and then once it gets going it's better but still not running 100%.

this is the first time it's been consistent....

 

Is the van throwing any codes.

 

van was barely running last night, went back out again in it later...sputtering,hesitating as soon as it was started but then by the time I was back home it fine running ok.... this morning FINE..... no hint of a problem and that was after a LONG commute to work....

so far, no codes....

 

Ghost in the machine!

 

Which engine?

 

it's a 3LV6