This afternoon my 93 Grand Caravan began accelerating strangely. When I would give it gas, it would act like it was out of gas & about to die, but if I let off and let it coast, it would run normal. Sometimes it would jerk, and then it would take off, but it never had the usual power. If I put it to the floor it would eventually kick into passing gear and go on, but not like normal. That was the only way I could get it up the hills. I ran the codes and got a 12 (battery recently disconnected) & 21. 21 is for oxygen sensor. Would that cause this problem? If not, what would? I am so broke it is not even funny, so I have got to figure this out myself. PLEASE HELP!!!
gas28man
09-23-2005, 06:49 PM
A bad O2 sensor wouldn't cause much noticeable difference in driveability. My guess is you've got a bad fuel pump. Not really a cheap fix, so see if you can get a fuel pressure gauge on it to confirm. For my 96, the part was around $160 if memory serves, but you can do the install yourself and save yourself a few hundred. Your van is a different generation, so I don't know if the price for the part would be different. All I can say is fill your gas tank all the way up, and don't let it get below 3/4s full until you can save up the bucks to do the job. This may minimize the driveability problem somewhat.
Rick
angie88
09-23-2005, 07:19 PM
Thanks very much for the info. I was afraid it may be something like that. I went back out a few minutes ago to see if I was "lucky" enough to have a loose plug wire or something. We just got the van YESTERDAY!!! and it was running fine until 3:00 today. I am very mechanically inclined & will try to do most of the work myself -- my husband works up in Franklin til 8 so he won't get a chance to look at it til tomorrow. I checked the air cleaner hose at the throttle body to make sure it wasn't clogged up and it looks fine. I am frantic! We moved to Columbia from Georgia last year & I don't know which local garage to turn to. If you think of anything else please let me know. Thanks again!
gas28man
09-25-2005, 12:52 AM
If you don't mind driving up to LaVergne to get your van fixed (about 40 miles) I can recommend a highly competent and inexpensive place to get the repair done. After a lot of trial and error, I settled on Morris Automotive, 5406 Murfreesboro Rd (US-41), 615-213-0098. I went to them after a couple of people recommended them, and they have done right by me every time. I moved to Smyrna from Michigan a year and a half ago, and it took me a few bad repair jobs before I found a good one.
Rick
angie88
10-05-2005, 04:43 PM
Bit the bullet and took it to the Dodge place. My converter was completely stopped up, which caused the O2 sensor to fail, and messed up the solenoid in the EGR valve too. I got it all fixed for $730. OW! Runs like a top now. It had 141,000 miles on it, so I bet the converter was solid as a rock! Thanks for all your help!!
