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tasneem
07-19-2006, 05:44 PM
Hello all,

I've got a car I bought 1 month ago... so I really dont have a history on this vehicle. 1991 caravan, 153000 miles on it, engine clean to the eyes at least, so far all we've done to her is replace the air filter (which was lieterally full of wood chips adn leave) and replace the radiator and reservoir.

So, what it's doing is this...periodically on the highway generally 9which really pisses me off) it will jump down from 60mph to 10, in about 5 seconds flat... then begin almost making like a coughing sounds, then it will make a boiling sounds and you can feel it, almost like air pockest popping under the chair of the driver side. It usually will only last 10-15 second up to 2 minutes. It will still drive if you want it to, jsut no more than 10 mph adn then it (whatever it is) passes and your on the road again. Smoetimes I pull over and turn it off , then turn it back on and its all good to go.... but this last time, yesturday, I was ont eh highway again, wtih a 18 wheeler tailgating me adn then i see my spedometer falling from 65 and i knew what was happneing, pulled onto the shoulder, and i kept the car running and it just went through the process shaking, spurting, etc adn then it passed.

It literally is like that classic sound you hear in commericals of the car that's on its last leg lol, and I do remember as a kid my dad has this Volvo that did the same thing... but I was real young so I'm not exactly sure what the problem turned out to be....any help, advice would be appreciated.... so we can get to drive a reliable vehecle without fear of death lol

Thanks
TAZ :help:

Chet42
07-20-2006, 10:26 AM
Sounds like you may have a fuel delivery problem, since you have no history on the van, here is where i'd start.

Check for trouble codes; Here is the procedure.

Turn key but don't start the engine. "ON-OFF" "ON-OFF" "ON-OFF" "ON"

Watch for flashing on the "Check engine" light. The codes are 2 digits so for example if you had a code "12". The light would fash "once" followed by a pause then flash "twice". You can get the codes and what they mean on the first 2 messages on this forum at the top, you want codes for 96-97 caravan there the same from 90 through to 97.

Then i would...

1. Replace the fuel filter (Under passenger side sliding door)
2. Have the fuel pressure tested (The fuel pump may be weak)
3. Run some good fuel injector cleaner through the tank or have the injectors cleaned.
4. Replace the O2 sensor.

Cheers
Chet.

tasneem
07-24-2006, 08:45 AM
hey Chet, well there'sno codes but I will go ahead with the other things you mentioned.... was hoping to drive this car cross country, but now I'm feeling alittle leary.

Took it to a mechanic, who pretty much ignored everything I said adn tried to sell me on a transmission... got real pissed when I asked him since when does a transmission problem lead to spurting and pausing? :VHOT: These are not slipping gears, low or slow pickup etc... so anyway, I guess he got confused when he saw my skirt and started seeing dollar signs.......NOT!!! :nutkick:

Will update when things start to look a little better

Thanks again

Chet42
07-26-2006, 10:13 AM
Good for you, thats the spirit!!! Its the same old stereotype, female equates to $$$$$. My 2 daughters love to stump mechanics, since they grew up on our farm, they learned from and early age how to turn a wrench and i'm proud to say that both are damn good mechanics. Shops soon learn that they can't BS them.

Cheers
Chet.