Stumped on engine misfire?

1996 DODGE CARAVAN
Avatar
GPCARAVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.8L engine. In January, the car started to shudder and engine misfired. The ODB II scan read P0305-Cylinder no. 5-Misfire Detected. I replaced all six spark plugs and wires with Bosch Platinum Plugs and Bosch wire set. The car ran fine for two months. The engine then started to misfire again. The OBD II codes read P0352-Ignition Coil no. 2 Primary Circuit and P0300-Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. I replaced the ignition coil with a coil from Pepboys and inspected the wiring to the coil. The car still misfires in cylinder 5 and the code P0352 is generated from the computer. I took it to the mechanic. He inspected the plug in cylinder 5 and said it was ok, but it had a little oil on it. He replaced the plug and the car still misfires. He said I should use a coil from the dealer. The dealer told me for the 1996 it did not matter. I tested cylinder 2 and 5 with new wires since they are on the same coil bank. I replaced the O2 sensors in November '06. All vacuum tubes are intact and the fuel injectors and their wiring are fine. The battery and alternator seem fine and I have had no issues with the system grounds. Should I use the dealer coil? Could my problem be the camshaft or crankshaft sensors? Could the problem be electrical? Do you have any suggestions on what I should do?
Apr 24, 2007 at 3:56 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be bad gas,vacuum leak,bad coil,dirty injectors and EGR.

If the EGR valve fails to close when EGR is not required, or if it leaks because of carbon buildup on the valve stem or valve seat, exhaust will be sucked into the intake manifold all the time creating a lean fuel mixture. This will cause lean misfire and set a random misfire code

This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please run down this guide and report back.
Apr 25, 2007 at 8:06 AM
Avatar
STEELWORKER
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
there might be oil seepage around spark plug tubes, if you pull spark plug wire boots off spark plugs and look down in tube with a bright light, if there is oil down in bottom around spark plug base or on the wire end that you just pulled are oiled, you need to replace valve cover gaskets and tube rings, if you replace yourself, buy chilton book for proper sealant info
Apr 28, 2007 at 6:13 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
GPCARAVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The EGR seems to check out. I put in a gasket sealing fluid to test if a gasket is leaking oil into the spark plug well. It is still misfiring. I have noticed the following the only error I am getting is the P0352 and the MIL is blinking. However, when the car runs down to empty on gas the MIL stops blinking and it runs that way for a few miles after filling up - still misfires. Then it is back to blinking. Do I need to use the dealer ignition coil instead of a generic from Pepboys. Might there be something wrong the fuel pump? How would I check?
May 21, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS
[quote:314a2f9934="gpcaravan"]The EGR seems to check out. I put in a gasket sealing fluid to test if a gasket is leaking oil into the spark plug well. It is still misfiring. I have noticed the following the only error I am getting is the P0352 and the MIL is blinking. However, when the car runs down to empty on gas the MIL stops blinking and it runs that way for a few miles after filling up - still misfires. Then it is back to blinking. Do I need to use the dealer ignition coil instead of a generic from Pepboys. Might there be something wrong the fuel pump? How would I check?[/quote:314a2f9934]

Try checking the fuel pressure-low pressure equals to lean mix.
May 21, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Avatar
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

i have a 3.8litre dodge caravan 1996 and on one piston
i have fire on spark plug put piston not working correct
i have remove the spark plug wire when running the engine does not change sound but all other does
i as a ruff idle , never check compression yet do not no what to do any more please help
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
CH112063
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,320 POSTS
Try another wire and plug. Then do a compression test, if ok swap the injector with another. See if spraying carb. cleaner around the intake gasket near that cylinder picks the idle and power up for that cylinder. The intake gasket could have a crack in it. Get the compression guage here, they have the same one I payed 250.00 for quite a bit cheaper, ok.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
i have try plug wire and spark plug ,injector all good ,,there is fire on plug i have clean today injector and doing the same missing on number #2 piston idle bad starts good look like ,,when pulling wire #2 off that plug engine stay same ,when i do to other the engine drop down more ,,
i no that #2 piston something wrong ,,i pull injector plug wire of i heard it stop running , the only thing left is check compression

trying to do my best in english because i am french sorry about that
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
CH112063
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,320 POSTS
I could tell about your English. You do fine. Compression next, should be within 25psi of others, no more. Good luck.
You'll triumph. Such is life.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
thank you i will try it tomorrow let you no
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
2 LINSEY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 287 POSTS
Hi speed pro shop, Any results yet?
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
MARKNALICIA2777
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
what would cause miss fire in cylinder 1 and 2 in a 1996 dodge carvan 3litre engine?
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
always the same little on low compression ,good the valve guide lose compression ,i add a sctock car when i was racing and the head was done losing compression from the valve same spec as that
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
JDL
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,098 POSTS
Possibilities, distributor cap--rotor--spark plug-- sparkplug wire, if you talking about spark.

A fuel injector issue can cause problems as well as compression. Do you know if misfire is caused fuel or spark?
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
CH112063
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,320 POSTS
Well the head is so easy to take off, are you going to do the top end? Sometimes when you renew the top, it blows the piston rings out. Might be best to do the rods, mains, and re-ring it. Good luck, let me know if ya need anything, ok? Need a hoist. We did all ours in car. Used a hone to deglaze the cylinders.
I have resealed a few of these. If your piston comes up, valve guides being bad should not cause the valves seating to be affected. With the piston up on the compression stroke there are 2 places you can lose compression up, down. The valves or valve may not be seating or ring problem. A wet cylinder compression test will tell you which. Squirt some oil in. The oil you squirt in seals the rings to bring compression up. Bad rings. It has little or no affect on valves. Try a wet compression test so you'll know where your going. I am no total expert, no such thing. I hope I helped you. Good luck. let me know.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
MARKNALICIA2777
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
i replaced plugs,wires,cap and rotor,it idiles kinds rough,but when when driving its good,when backing up with it it kinda bogs out and lazy,it brings up codes p300,p301 and p302 if that helps
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
JDL
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,098 POSTS
Clean the throttle-body and idle air system. Visually check for spark at cylinders 1 and 2. Nothing takes the place of testing for spark at the plugs.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
MARKNALICIA2777
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
ok i will tommrow and i want to thank u for all ur help i am very greatfull
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SWOLL2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I started getting a P0357 code "Coil Bank C" and a rough idle a couple of weeks ago. It would misfire at first start-up and clear up after idling for about 30 seconds. Then a P0301 "Misfire" code also appeared. After doing this about three times, it became a permanent problem. I don't have any spark on the coil on the bank for cylinders 2 & 5. I've replaced the coil pack, plug wires, and plugs. Also checked the wiring back to the ECM. Nothing has helped. I'm guessing it must be the ECM, the cam sensor or the crank sensor. Any idea which...or how to check any further?
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
JASONRAY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 213 POSTS
Which V6 does it have? 3.0, 3.3, etc... That will make a difference on the diagnostics.. Reply and we'll take it from there.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
JDL
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,098 POSTS
Let us know what you find.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SWOLL2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The van has the 3.3 V-6.
Thanks,
Steve
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
JASONRAY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 213 POSTS
Unplug the coil pack. Find the Dark Blue/Tan wire. Using a normal test light connected to BATT +, probe the terminal. Have someone spin the engine over. Did the test light flash? Make sure to spin it for about 10 seconds or so. If the light does NOT flash, the problem is between the coil pack and the PCM. This wire is the one the PCM uses to fire the #2 and #5 plugs. It should fire each cylinder twice during each revolution. Once on the compression stroke and again on the exhaust stroke. If the test light does not flash during this test, the signal is being lost from the PCM to the COIL. OR, the signal could not even be generated inside the PCM. If it was a crank sensor problem, it wouldn't fire any cylinders. Start there and get back with me.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
PICKUPMAN2386
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I Have a 1996 dodge grand caravan it has the codes P0300 and P0303 for random misfire and #3 misfire. Van runs great while driving at idle or during load it starts missing. I have replaced spark plugs, plug wires and cap and rotor, also crank shaft sensor. I have been out of the shop for awhile and I don't wanna keep throwing parts at it. Can anybody help?
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BMRFIXIT
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 19,053 POSTS
I would Recheck the tune up and ignition coil
check injector
do a compression test

good luck

need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
PICKUPMAN2386
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I checked the plugs #3 has a stain from the misfire. Wire is good I checked the injector and also the EGR valve. I haven't done the compression check yet can find my guage. I checked the intake though and throttle body for build up and found none. I Pressure washed engine to remove any extra oil around the plug and replaced #3 plug again. The EGR is good I ran some injector cleaner through it and also reset the codes after that. No check engine light yet but still idles rough, prob just a matter of time. Any other ideas.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
AYORK1293
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have a 96 dodge caravan se, 3.3l. It has a misfire on 2 cylinders. When it was purchased a week ago the ignition coil had a broken connection for one cylinder, it was just replaced, 4 days ago, by myself, when i started the van up after installing the new coil, it was missing on 2 cylinders, started pulling wires directly off of the coil and the coil wasnt even firing on those 2 so i went back to autozone and warranty swapped the coil for another new the very next day, installed it in their parking lot and it was still missing on the same 2 cylinders with the same result, the coil itself not firing, has a new battery and autolite plugs with duralast wires, im just wondering if it could be the pcm or the bcu or a combination of the 2/
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
WRENCHTECH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 20,761 POSTS
If the coil is not firing on 2 cylinders that share a coil circuit, then you have either burned out the driver for that circuit in the PCM or the wire connecting it is bad.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
AYORK1293
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
To what wire are we referring?
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
WRENCHTECH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 20,761 POSTS
The wire that connects that circuit in the coil to the driver in the PCM
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
AYORK1293
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
ok, so would that just be disconnecting the pigtail from the coil and using a multimeter to check for resistance
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
WRENCHTECH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 20,761 POSTS
No, checking resistance won't tell you if the wire is shorted to ground or another circuit. The wire has to be isolated at both ends and tested multiple ways. You should be using a scope to test for the signal coming out of the PCM
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
LILTIPPIBIRD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a dodge gran caravan july96 model. I recently had transmission, crank censor and cam censor replaced. van ran fine for aprox. 3 more wks. Now from running after stopped,gear change will surge and jump up in rpms. and sometimes will not change to third gear. Stopping and recranking van will sometimes fix problem. diognosis box gives out a misfire readout still. where should i start looking next? I am a female adult who knows more than most about cars but I really dont want to get ripped off. Thank you for a responce. Will make a donation when affordable. just put out approx. $1600.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BMRFIXIT
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 19,053 POSTS
Misfiring codes !!
have to start by checking the engine for tune up .


cycle key on off on off on read P codes in odometer area
or check engine light will flash out the codes
(for example code 12 check engine will blink pause blink twice )
check tranny fluid too
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
AYORK1293
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
ok, i dont know what you mean or how to do that...
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
WRENCHTECH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 20,761 POSTS
You don't have to equipment to do this anyway and if you try to improvise you could destroy the computer if it isn't already. You're going to have to get a pro to track this down for you. If it ends up needing a computer, it has to be programmed anyway.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
JWRKAILUA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I am getting a 96 Dodge Caravan, 3.3L, with 114,000 miles. It has had the transmission replaced a few months ago. The guy is getting rid of it because he is moving and it is only running on 4 cyl. He said the shop told him that the computer needs to be replaced and then the van will run great again. He is not sure which computer module is malfunctioning or where it is. I thought if the computer was faulty, the whole engine would not funtion properly, not just 2 cyl. How can I check this before I buy it? Is there something else I should look at or for (speed sensor, coil packs, ect)? It has had a tune up with the wires and plugs being changed. Any ideas? Thank you
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
MERLIN2021
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 17,250 POSTS
Well if you have a OBDII scan tool, you can hookm it to the vans DLC and read the codes. There may be a code indicating the PCM not finding ground.
If it is running on 4 out of 6 cylinders, there will be codes present. the MIL should be either lighted or flashing due to the misfire condition, it will also denote the cylinder numbers not fiting. I will say that there is no guarantee express or implied in my answer! You are rolling the dice to buy this van!
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
SLIMDADDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
there is no spark from the coil pack on cylinders 3 and 4. I replaced the coil pack and still have the same problem.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BLACKOP555
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 10,386 POSTS
Since you replaced the coil pack and still no spark you probably have a bad ignition module.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)
Avatar
ALWAYSGREASY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
i have a 96 caravan has new plugs timing belt cap and rotor.when driving a while engine miss fires.will stall 2 i havent been able to get it to act up. my mother drives 60 miles or so and it dies.are those known for crank sensors ? what about fule pumps?not realy shure witch way to go.dont want to throw parts at it.please help.
Jul 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM (Merged)