The battery went dead on my 98 caravan, The next day it started, and I let it run for a while to charge. I shut it off and restarted to check if it would, problem is now it wont stay running unless I keep my foot on the gas, as soon as I take it off it stalls.

 

well i get the battery checked but i have a feeling it may not be the battery. Could be the alternator issue. i would see if u could put a slow charger on the battery for the required time and then replace it in the vehicle. i think you read like 14 or more volts not running but running i think it should not go less than 12.

 

You got that backwards. you want to see 13.5V+ when running and 12V-12.5V when the vehicle is completely turned off.

You may just have a car that is cranky when it has to relearn everything. While not common, I've had a few vehicles in my lifetime that did exactly what you said and there were no other faults.

 

now I have a strong smell of fuel, still wont stay running if I let off of the gas pedal. I dont have to rev it much to stay running

 

you correct .

 

I have around 11 not running, and 12 running, but still have the fuel smell when I rev it. I never had a fuel smell before this.

 

Ok inst. cluster went out now it runs fine, and no gas smell, think I found the problem..... correct?

 

Did not trust my meter so I went to the auto store, turns out I have 12.5 not running and 8.9 running, but on the plus side t started and ran fine today.

 

Auto store should have tested your alternator. As stated you should see around 14vdc with the engine running as measured at the battery posts.

 

they said the alt. was good so I bought a new battery, so far so good, but I still have to deal with the instrument cluster.