I have a 1997 dodge caravan with the service engine soon light on?

Question

I took it to the parts house they did a diagnostic check and he said it was a emissions control problem can anyone tell me what that means and what to do to fix it???

Answer 1

Take it to a mechanic and have it diagnosed, I mean a qualified mechanic and not a backyard mechanic. It could lead to problems down the road if this is not taken care of. There are quite a few things that cna be causing this. We have a 1996 Plymouth Voyager (rebadged Dodge Caravan) and the same thing happened, it was a broken wire about 8 inchs before the oxygen sensor, if you do not know how to check for these things, leave it to a professional.

Answer 2

For that year of that van most likely an Oxygen sensor needs replaced. yours can have 1, 2, or 4 of them or other words before the Converter and one after the converter... If that does not fix it then your Converters are bad which can also happen. This step is for cars and vans with 2 or more oxygen sensors... Go buy a simulator to connect it to the Oxygen sensors that are after the converters and the engine light will go off after a few miles or just undo the battery clamp for few mins.. if your van only has sensors Before the converters just replace those with new oxygen sensors and you can't use the Simulator to those. because the oxygen sensors before the converters are what tells the Vans computer on the Fuel and Air Ratio's. But the oxygen sensors after the converters are what tests the Converters for failure and it will also tell you if the oxygen sensor before the converter has failed by detecting a very Rich Fuel mixture.

Answer 3

they should have given you a specific code that would give you a better idea of what it is, also knowing the mileage on the vehicle would also help as well as how its idling. do you have a separate check engine light? Some vehicles have a service engine soon light that automatically comes on near your timing belt change intervals but if its throwing a code: over 60,000 miles it would be normal or your O2 sensors to be going out however it could be lots of things, bad gas, bad or loose gas cap, loose vacuum line, header leak, clogged fuel filter etc. Do some research, most American vehicles with obd II you can reset the code by pulling the negative lead on the battery for a few minutes then reattach and let idle for 5 mins followed by 20min of normal in town driving .

Answer 4

NEVER replace ANY part till you know the problem. It could be any thing from a loose gas cap, which you should check yourself, to any of a number of problems. You need someone with a scanner that knows how to read the trouble codes. Do not do the above suggestions about changing parts. I don't know your location but the honest repair shops will check it out free, Look around and find one. Auto Zone does a read and if you can get the codes we can help/

Answer 5

on the newer ones you have to have those scanned to get the trouble codes from them,that could be one of 30 things causing that too happen,at least if you have to scanned it will narrow it down for you,and most parts stores will scan it for free,there's way too many sensors on that one that could cause that too happen,good luck with it.

Answer 6

It could be something as simple as a loose or bad gas cap. Could also be an emmission hose leaking or cracked.

Answer 7

its a bad oxygen sensor located in top of exhaust pipe next to the manifold

Answer 8

find a shady mechanic and have him disconnect it.unless you live in a state that requires state auto inspections.
if you are mechanically inclined you could replace it yourself but otherwise take it to a mechanic.
i beleive there are several controls and it mayt ne anyone of them.

Answer 9

That would be an o2 sensor