[Jamccor]

My caravan is idling horribly! It runs fine but the idle is really low and rough. Its a 1996 dodge grand caravan. The only thing is I have the thermostat out and havent replaced it yet. Could this cause the problem?
Thanks

 

[Dodgevanman]

Absolutely. The PCM requires various inputs from engine sensors so the engine can run properly. One of these sensors is the coolant sensor. If the engine never acheives proper operating temperature, the PCM won't be able to adjust things like ignition timing and fuel/air properly.

Make sure you buy the proper thermostat...probably a 195 deg. is OEM.

 

[Ram3500Dually]

Also, the thermostat is a restrictor to slow the coolant down. In the old days with the race cars we used to punch the center of the thermostat out but leave the rest in to slow the fluid down or you risk blowing a head gasket