So i was in need of a vehicle. As a kid i always wanted a conversion van. So in my mind it all came together when I came across a 1999 dodge conversion van. I found it on craigslist and thought i got a deal at $3500 price tag. i bought it from a nice couple in brick NJ. They told me that it belonged to their daughter who left for college and it had been sitting for a long time and just needed a tune up worst case scenario. I test drove it and it was fine. it ran a little loud but overall it felt good. I was living the dream, and then I drove it home. Now its dieing or what it seems like it to me. So i took it the mechanic down the block from my house. he told me would take care of it. he replaced the crankshaft sensor and the distributor charged me $400 But it still runs the same. So I feel like I got ripped off twice.
I'm here looking for some help. I dont want to give up on this for two reasons. One, I do not want to give up so easy, I'm committed to my choice even though I got screwed. I always wanted a conversion van,and it may not be the best but its mine. Two, I think the van has alot of potential. I need to know what wrong exactly bc thus far the last guy replaced parts and it still runs crappy..I cannot afford the trial and error method of diagnostics. With that said, I'm in lodi NJ I'm telling you upfront I cannot afford repairs beyond $250.00. I am willing to work off the debt. I can fix/build computers, paint, Sheetrock/Spackle work or laborer. Thanks in advance for any help I can get.

 

You will need to describe 'feels like it's dying' better before we can recommend a plan of attack.

Your mechanic obviously thought it was spark related if he replaced those items.

If it has not had fresh fuel in it for a while, fill it up with and add a bottle or two of Techron.

Does the check engine light come on when it feels like 'it is dying"?

 

you need a new mechanic if he charges $400 with no improvement... if it ran OK on the test drive, then it should be something simple, but probably not obvious to fix... look for a sticker above the battery for truck data... also HOW long did it sit? YEARS? probably lots of water in the gas tank

 

If the dieing only happens when there is less than 1/2 a tank of fuel then you're probably looking at a new fuel pump.

 

First off, thank you guys so much for the quick response.I really appreciate it.
To answer your questions. The "check engine" light was on when i brought it the mechanic. Since those repairs it never came back on again.
I was told it was sitting for at least 6 months. After a night of sitting it struggles to start. I hold down the gas pedal down a little bit for like 1 minute and then it stays on.
Also its leaking what i thought was water. But when i tried to turn the steering and i couldn't, So that puddle must be power steering fluid.i went out and bought some and put it in. And everything is fine again.
When I let it run a little what looks like water comes out of the exhaust just a constant drip. When I said "it feels like its dieing" When I rev the engine it sounds like a voltswagon has like this little putting sound. I have no idea what the engine is supposed to sound like. But I'm only guessing not the way it does now. Hopefully I'm wrong. When i drove it home the it had very little power. I had a 8 cyl mountaineer before this. the van is the 6 cyl version. So i know it wont have that v8 power. But i just thought it would have a little more Go to it. But honestly i'll just be happy with a dependable vehicle..

 

Update! 5/27/12 8:32pm.. the check engine light is on. So i'm going to autozone to get a code read..8fingers crossed*

 

Ok so i finally took my lemon to the dealership.i paid for the diagnostic and they told me flat out i need a new/rebuilt engine.For those of you that don't know. I made a $3500 mistake a was sold a van with problems i was led to believe to be a minor fix. I am now unemployed and these are my only wheels. so i'm gonna try to make lemon aid out of my huge lemon. Now forst off. It has a power steering leak that has somehow become worse with time. so its either the reservoir or the hose. dealership told me to replace them both. Im holding off on that for now bc im not really driving it and the engine concerns me more at this point. bc im stuck with this van for the foreseeable future.here is what they put on the paperwork. I'm hoping you guys can decipher this for me.

found codes p0138 02 shorted to voltage.p0302 cylinder #2 misfire and p0645 a/c clutch relay- swaped injector #6 to #2 --miss still there.switched #4 sparkplug with #2 miss still there. perfomed compression test- found engine has internal problem- need to tare down engine for inspection.

honestly allot of what i found on google has been not to trust the dealership. i tried a private mechanic down the block and he charged me for a new distributor and crackshaft sensor. still runs the same. I have no choice right now but to make this van work. Any help would be appreciated, i need a trust worthy mechanic whos not out to rip me off and tell me where i stand. maybe that's allot to ask for nowa days but i'm hoping you guys on here can help me out...Thanks in advance

 

While it is certainly difficult to trust the dealer, it seems as if they have traced the cylinder 2 misfire and eliminated the fuel and spark as being the cause of the misfire. Then a compression test indicated cylinder#2 has a mechanical issue.

With one cylinder out you have lost 1/6th of your power and are wasting gas and ruining the catalytic converter

Maybee you can disconnect the injector for cylinder 2, and put some black tape over the Check engine light while you save for a new engine, or vehicle.

Sorry to hear about this.

 

Now there's a red flag if I ever saw one. A new engine because of a misfire? I don't think so.

 

+1 indeed...