iIran my caravan 3.0 v6 out of gas, or at least real low. Now when i try to start the van i have to floor it and it bearly runs, cant even get it past 4 rpm floored. I believe i have a clock spring out in the van because the horn and cruse control stoped working. I dont know much about fault codes, but i do have the engine light on now. Maybe i picked up some dirt from the tank when i ran it so low. Possibly cloged the fileter? I dont know any help would be appriciated. Also, can someone tell me how to change the fuel filter on this rig?
jmohn
07-16-2006, 09:38 PM
The fuel filtre if the same as my 1995 is under the van by your passenger side sliding door. If not plugged check to see if your getting fuel up to the engine if not sound like a fuel pump problem. not hard to change and it's in the fuel tank.
Chet42
07-17-2006, 07:21 PM
One of the two problems with in-tank fuel pumps is you can't let them run dry, what happens is the fuel acts as a coolant for the pump and prevents it from overheating, if you continiously allow the fuel level to go down to a 1/4 tank, the pump will eventually become weaker due to heat buildup and burn out.
The second problem is when the fuel level is at a 1/4 tank the pump picks up the sediment from the bottom of the tank and the filter sock that covers the pump will become clogged and the pump will have to work twice as hard to pump the same amount of fuel and will eventually burn out.
Like Jmohn mentioned changing the pump is not hard but it is time consuming. Ensure your tank is near empty when you do it, makes the job much simpler. Also replace the fuel filter.
Cheers
Chet.
DrLar
07-18-2006, 10:14 AM
There's a recall for the clock spring see this thread:
thanks for the help guys. I relplaced the filter changed the plugs and wires changed the map sensor and egr valve. Wish i could say that everything is all well. Instead I still get an p0108 code. My motor runs ruff pushes black smoke out and makes weird noise from the air intake box. I really am suspicous that the cadi converters may be out. I will see if im getting the proper fuel to the intack though.
96Grand
07-19-2006, 08:37 PM
I have a tutorial for you about the MAP Sensor.
minivanfreek
07-22-2006, 01:32 PM
ok, I have now change the map sencsor, epg valve, and the cats. Also of note I have changed the fuel filter, sparkplug wires and air filter. I checked the fuel pressure, which reads at 50 pounds so that eliminated the fuel pump.
When I start the motor it makes sounds of poping from the intake and exhaust. It bearly starts and take flooring the accelerator to the floor to start it. Now for the intersting news, the injectors are flowing at 17.0 which the normal range is around 1.0. All indications are starting me to believe from researching tech data that there may be a broken cam shaft. After over 500 dollors in parts can someone barrow me a bazzooookkka!!!
martinv
07-24-2006, 04:29 PM
All indications are starting me to believe from researching tech data that there may be a broken cam shaft. After over 500 dollors in parts can someone barrow me a bazzooookkka!!!
I have a 1997 grand caravan that just broke a camshaft. I had similar symtoms of hard strating and running very rough.
See my thread in this forum. (would attach url but forum wont let me)
The front valve cover is easy to take off. Then you can see if the rocker arms are moving. My van had only 1 set of valves working.
By the time I got my van back home I spent about $600 and have not begun to repair it yet.
minivanfreek
07-24-2006, 06:00 PM
unfortunatly, it apears to be just that. So if anyone reads this post you will know to check for valve movement befor investing to much money in parts.
96Grand
07-24-2006, 08:17 PM
Taking your vehicle to a mechanic when something is wrong is the smartest thing to do.
;)
martinv
07-25-2006, 04:35 PM
Taking your vehicle to a mechanic when something is wrong is the smartest thing to do.
That may depend on the mechanic.
Is a broken camshaft a common problem in these vans?
96Grand
07-25-2006, 07:41 PM
It's pretty rare to break a camshaft on the 3.3 and 3.8 engines. The thing that I can think of, if there is an oil leak that goes unchecked or unfixed and the oil runs too low it could happen. I've seen the rocker arm shafts break first hand, it's caused by a similiar situation.
