I had my timing chain and head gasket changed on my 1999 Dodge Caravan. It's a 4 cylinder engine. I had the computer reset, but it didn't throw any codes, as per the mechanics instructions. It will only idle in park, but it feels like it is missing. It will drive, but when you let off the gas, it dies. It's one of those deals where you have to keep your foot depressed on the gas when you stop or it will die.
2006-12-13 12:25:53 · 4 answers · asked by ? 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
The belt may be off by 1 tooth causing the valves to leak out pressure before the spark ignites the fuel (weak combustion). why was the belt changed,maintenance or old one broke/skipped tooth? If maintenance it could have been installed wrong. If broke some valves may be bent causing pressure loss.????????
2006-12-13 12:36:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too many variables to pin it down without having the vehicle and a dignostic computer hooked up to it. But here are some likely causes:
As already mentioned, timing belt (most likely with given information),
A sensor, switch, or other electrical wire left loose from timing belt replacement,
TPS (Throttle Position Sensor),
Vacuum leak,
Worn throttle plate
These are not the only things that can be wrong, just the most likely in my opinion with the information given.
Some things that bother me:
1. The timing belt was just changed recently, did it do this before the belt was replaced? Did the belt break? Did it start immediately after the belt was replaced, or did it run OK for awhile before it started doing this? If it did not do this before and started immediately afterwards, almost a given that either the belt was not installed and timed correctly or something was left loose or knocked loose during the repair.
2. You had the computer reset "as per the mechanics instructions". Does this mean you disconnected the battery to reset it? Or did you take it somewhere to have the codes cleared? IMO, "resetting" the computer is bad advice, it should be hooked up to a scan tool to see if any codes were set (codes are sometimes stored without triggering a "check engine" light)
A scan tool will tell exactly what is going on (assuming the belt is installed correctly, but even if it's a tooth off, some sensors should be giving erratic readings).
2006-12-14 00:30:21 · answer #2 · answered by Mark B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the timing belt may be off one tooth. Have your shop recheck the base timing.
2006-12-13 20:45:09 · answer #3 · answered by mike 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check your crank sensor or your cam sensor
2006-12-14 02:00:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋