My engine stalls at idle or when slowing down?

Could be the IAC.

May need cleaning (or even replacing). Looks like this (the upper half will be showing) in this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

This thing controls idle.

While it is acting up, sometimes a nice tap on the metal part of the IAC will make it straighten up and run better.

This "better running" will possibly confirm that the IAC is indeed the problem. The "love tap" is not a fix just a test.

The Medic

My 2003 Dodge Caravan with 3.3 l V6 Flex stalls out when I run air conditioning on high with recirc on when I come to a stop. It starts right back up but when I put it in gear it stalls out again and i have to keep my foot on the gas to keep it running and get it to go. I have changed the crank and cam position sensors and the stalling problem has gotten better but it still does it so what else could be causing this?

It sounds like a vacuum leak, idle air control valve, or the throttle position sensor. Has the check engine light come on?

This guide can help you service the throttle bore

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Let me know.

joe

No the check engine light has not come on since I replaced the cam and crank sensors.

I would start by checking for vacuum leaks. Also, check the EGR valve to make sure it isn't carboned up and not working.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

My 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport has been giving me intermittent trouble for just over a year. While driving, the engine seems to be surging as though it is not getting enough fuel. The RPMs rev to 4000, especially when going up steep grades. When pulling out of the driveway, or accelerating after stopping at a stop sign, she sometimes stalls. After pulling her into park, she starts again right away. No lights have ever come on on the console, and when I have taken her to the Dodge Dealer and local mechanic nothing has shown up on their diagnostic equipment. No one can seem to decipher the problem. I have had the spark plugs and wires replaced, the transmission fluid changed, the fuel filter changed and have tried using fuel injecter cleaner. Nothing has rectified the problem. The oddity to it all is that she might work fine for weeks at a time, only to have the problem reoccur. I am at my wits end with this vehicle! Any suggestions?

On the fuel rail, that feeds the fuel injectors, where the fuel lines attach is the "fuel pressure regulator". A vacuum line attaches to this regulator. When the stalling condition exists, remove this vacuum line and plug the line with a golf tee or similar item. Then drive the vehicle and see what happens. Let me know what you find.

I was just wondering if any one can help me figure out what is wrong with my van. Almost everytime i start it it will die out as soon as i put it in gear. I starts back up immediatly but will sometimes just die out again as soon as it goes in gear. also it jumps a lot and the rpm's flucuate a lot when i stop at lights or go to slow down to stop at lights the sometimes it will cut out and sometimes not. I have put a computer on it but it is not sending out any codes everytime i take it to the place. If anyone has any suggestions i would love to hear them. Also when i go to stop there is a jerking forward motion to i am not for sure if that is part of the same problem just thought i would give you all the details.

You may have a bad IAC ( idle air control) but try cleaning the throttle body first. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle. If it still has a problem, replace the IAC.

My 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.3 engine stalls when first started unless you hold the gas pedal part way down and wait about 1 minute. It will also do this, and /or hesitate on initial accelleration when restarting after it has been parked a while. It all clears up after a minute, and the car runs great at rpms above idle. The engine does occasionally seem to misfire (sounds like it is going to stall) when idling at a traffic light with a warm engine. there are no codes, and I have had it to 3 mechanics including the dealer, and they can't figure it out. The upstream O2 sensor, and MAT and fuel pump and filter have been replaced. Fuel system cleaner seems to cause a small improvement and the 3M fuel system cleaner kit also seemed to help for a while.

Has the idle air control motor been checked or cleaned?

That was it. Pulled out the Idle air valve, and the valve was stuck tight. cleaned it and it moves freely. Put it back in, and the trouble that 4 mechanics couldn't find is gone!

Great. I'm glad to hear you got it fixed. Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Take care,

Joe

I just saw the positive feedback. Thanks! It's appreciated.

My van stalls and lurches forward a couple of inches when I put it into gear (drive or reverse) when the engine is cold. When the engine warms up it seems to work and drive fine and I can put it into gear without a problem. Everything else seems pretty normal.

Good morning,

This sounds like the torque converter is locked up when it is cold and stall the engine until it releases.

Does the transmission work correctly?

When was the last time you changed the oil/filter in the transmission?

Is the check engine light on? If it is, do you know the code? A parts store can read it for you for free.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Thanks for the quick reply. I just bought this van a couple of days ago. There is no check engine lights, and I have never even looked at the transmission fluid. The transmission did seem to have a problem downshifting when slowing the vehicle down quickly. (It would take a few seconds to down shift and the vehicle shuttered a little bit) I did not notice the downshifting problem when I bought the van. Thank you :)

Then I would start by changing the transmission fluid and see if that helps the issue.

Roy

I took it to a mechanic and he said it was the torque converter. Thank you for the help.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

I have a 2003 3.3 L dodge caravan that stalls or runs rough intermitantly. Weather conditions due NOT play a part. Camshaft and crankcase sensors have been replaced .A recent full engine tuneup done and fuel injectors recently cleaned at dealer.Does not stall at highway speeds.Stalls when starting up or stopped say at an intersection.Van resarts right after stalling with no problem .Engine light DOES NOT come on when van stalls. Any ideas? Mileage is 142,000 KM

For all those who answered thank you The
problem was a faulty throtle position sensor

As a starting point I would check the EGR valve and the pcv.

[quote:5cb9419ae6="billywings"]I have a 2003 3.3 L dodge caravan that stalls or runs rough intermitantly. Weather conditions due NOT play a part. Camshaft and crankcase sensors have been replaced .A recent full engine tuneup done and fuel injectors recently cleaned at dealer.Does not stall at highway speeds.Stalls when starting up or stopped say at an intersection.Van resarts right after stalling with no problem .Engine light DOES NOT come on when van stalls. Any ideas? Mileage is 142,000 KM[/quote:5cb9419ae6]
I am told an EGR valve was not introduced till the 2004 model.PVc valve was replaced when tuneup done

It has an EGR in accordance with Mitchell1- Further the EGR was introduced back in 1973 to eliminate Nox- Nitrogen Oxides which is one of the gases that EPA is concern with under the clean air act.

I recommend you check the EGR as recommended by Bruce its a typical sign of an EGR failure. To include the PCV valve-

What's happening with your problem is the fresh A/F mix is being diluted with excessive oxygen-meaning your burning more air than fuel. The mixture is unbalance.

I've heard of poor in connections at the pcm harness on these for a stalling condition.

Bruce is a pretty proud guy, when he says something, you can take it to the bank that he knows if an engine has something.

Good day, I am having trouble with a 2001 Grand Carvan Sport. When I start it or when I need to stop the rpm will go up and down, sometimes ending up stalling or the rpm tacks higher and I need to be sure I am pushing the brake harder so it does not lunge forward. I also notice it misses worse when I take my foot off the gas. I know it needs a tune-up but would that make the rpm surge?

Ok first off is the engine light on? Next question is how many miles are on this car? Now how old is the fuel filter and spark plugs and plug wires? Have you checked the air filter and such? Do you have a digital multi meter and can you check the fuel pressure? Get back to me with what you know and what you can and are willing to do yourself and we will take it from there.

so when I start the engine it idles and runs great but once it warms up it dies when I come to a stop also in park

try cleaning throttle plate on both sides and iac hole with choke cleaner. if it continues check fuel pressure with a gauge

Hmac300 I've already cleaned the throttle body completely. the van runs great just wont idle well it does idle in park but when in gear it wont. I took the tps and iac off and cleaned them . is there a possibility that I didn't get the tps on right? ive tested the map sensor and it tested with in oem specs it sounds like it has an air leak by the throttle body ?

no the tps only goes on one way, the air leak may be the duct work going to throttle body which if it has holes in it or not on properly will cause your problem. check for a vacuum leak with choke cleaner the rpm should change if you find it. then check your fuel pressure with a gauge like I said in first reply it may be low. auto parts rent gauge.

A few days ago my engine was running fine. When I stareted up my van the next day. I was able to back out then pull out of the parking lot. Upon making a left turn my van cut off. Now my van starts up and I can switch gears, but as soon as I touch the gas It cuts off. The engine light stays on the whole time the engine is running. I can turn on the heat and switch gears, but as soon as I touch the gas the engine cuts off.

You need to find out what codes are in the computer.
If you put it in neutral, does it also stall when the gas pedal is pressed?

IF it doesn't, I would suspect there may be a transmission problem in that it is stuck into a a higher geared setting and stalling the motor immediatley...The torque converter may not be released from the engine.

2000 Dodge Caravan 53000 miles

Okay, so we were driving and went over a speed bump at normal speed, the car just died, then went to start it and it started and just lost all power and died, and that's all it does it'll start, then die.... ANy idea!?

HI there,

It sound as if an electrical component as come loose, you will have to see if you have lost fuel pressure spark or injector pulse then we can start to check systems to see what has gone wrong, i would be checking for fuel pressure first as i feel it may be a fuel pump problem.

Mark (mhpautos)

Our 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, has been stalling out. Mostly when shifting gear, like reverse or to drive. Today it has started stalling when it idles to long and has started to over heat as well. We just replaced the thermostat in it two months ago. What could it be?

We are a little stumped as our mechanic cannot figure it out either. He said that it is acting like it is not getting enough gas, but it is not throwing any codes from the computer, as our service engine light is not coming on at all.

Do this. Turn the key in the ignition to ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON. And then, read your odometer display for DTC. Jot down the codes and post. We'll help diagnose.

after having all fuel injectors replaced vehicle will randomly stall while driving. Mainly when letting off the gas pedal to slow and turn or stop. otherwise it runs fine and idles fine.

There's two common things to consider. First, if the battery was disconnected, the Engine Computer has to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it has to be in control of idle speed. Until the happens, you might have to hold the accelerator pedal down 1/4" to get the engine to start, you won't get the nice idle flare-up to 1500 rpm at start-up, and it will tend to stall at stop signs. To meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the pedals.

Second, a plugged pickup screen inside the gas tank will cause stalling when the largest volume of fuel is being pumped, which is during coasting. This might not apply to your vehicle because the fuel pressure regulator is inside the gas tank and is no longer controlled by engine vacuum. This applies to vehicles with a pressure regulator on the fuel rail on the engine and a fuel return hose to the gas tank.

Engine Performance problem
2000 Dodge Caravan Engine Size unknown Front Wheel Drive Automatic 135239 miles
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WHY DOES THIS VAN STALL WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDDLE. THEN TAKE A SECOND TO RESTART BUT RESTART LIKE IT WAS NOT PROBLEM?