DAlbright
10-01-2005, 11:32 AM
What a great place to get to know your new vehicle. I have learned a lot regarding my new (98) GCaravan. Love the vehicle and have tried some of the "fixes" mentioned here regarding the following problems. However, to no avail, the intermittent stuff still happens. Beautiful van but now I know why I got a great deal on it.
1. Currently, out of the blue, it turns overs and immediately turns off. Do this three times and it doesn't even turn over. Wait 20-30 minutes and it cranks up no problem.
My first thought on this is the fuel filter which I am going to replace today when I find out where it is. I believe it is in-line with the gas tank. I have a Haynes book, so will look it up. Too many dang sensors (CAM, Crankshaft, etc.) that could effect this however, pointing in the right direction with anyone who had a similar problem would be appreciated.
2. (I have removed the thermostat) The engine will over heat out of the blue too. When it does I check the motor and all items appear to work well, no squeaking etc. The RAD fan comes on and the radiator was just flushed so the cooling system should be fine.
Is it a common characteristic that after a 20 minute drive that the motor is so hot? I can lift the hood holding bar and it is fiercely hot and a lot of heat is coming through the motor. I understand "heat" but this hot and without the thermostat.
Overall, the situation has me thinking the Water pump might actually need to be replaced, that it goes south occasionally, bearings or seals that are losing pressure to pump.
3. I can be driving down the road and all the gages go out but the van still drives normal. Once I stopped and started it back up and everything worked and were this fix did not I was driving home and did a U turn and they all came back.
Now I read about this in the forum to pop the middle of the dash and they usually would come back regarding an under dash short of the sort. I haven't had the chance to test this out yet as this has only happened to me twice so far.
Of course, any help (pointing in the right direction) is sincerely welcomed.
1. Currently, out of the blue, it turns overs and immediately turns off. Do this three times and it doesn't even turn over. Wait 20-30 minutes and it cranks up no problem.
My first thought on this is the fuel filter which I am going to replace today when I find out where it is. I believe it is in-line with the gas tank. I have a Haynes book, so will look it up. Too many dang sensors (CAM, Crankshaft, etc.) that could effect this however, pointing in the right direction with anyone who had a similar problem would be appreciated.
2. (I have removed the thermostat) The engine will over heat out of the blue too. When it does I check the motor and all items appear to work well, no squeaking etc. The RAD fan comes on and the radiator was just flushed so the cooling system should be fine.
Is it a common characteristic that after a 20 minute drive that the motor is so hot? I can lift the hood holding bar and it is fiercely hot and a lot of heat is coming through the motor. I understand "heat" but this hot and without the thermostat.
Overall, the situation has me thinking the Water pump might actually need to be replaced, that it goes south occasionally, bearings or seals that are losing pressure to pump.
3. I can be driving down the road and all the gages go out but the van still drives normal. Once I stopped and started it back up and everything worked and were this fix did not I was driving home and did a U turn and they all came back.
Now I read about this in the forum to pop the middle of the dash and they usually would come back regarding an under dash short of the sort. I haven't had the chance to test this out yet as this has only happened to me twice so far.
Of course, any help (pointing in the right direction) is sincerely welcomed.