Expert: Roland Finston - 11/3/2009

Question
hey roland. my wife has a 93 dodge caravan and we can't keep it running. it'll either start and then die the moment you take your foot off the gas pedal or go for a short distance and then die. we don't want to be replacing parts constantly( eg. pumps, computer, etc) can you help? everything is standard on the van.

Answer
Hi Scott,
Many of the possible causes are monitored by the engine controller which when it sees a problem records it as a fault code. You can use the ignition key to readout the fault codes:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the 'check engine' light, which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat the process to be sure you have an accurate set of counts. Thne group the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault code numbers. The last number is always 55 because that is the code for 'end of readout'. Then write back and tell me the numbers and also which engine you have and we'll go from there. You can also go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a listing of the codes.
I suspect we can identify exactly what is wrong without getting into 'throwing parts at the problem'. Any other history to the problem you can remember may be relevant. I doubt it is 'fuel pump' but rather is likely to be a mal-mixture between fuel and air, but let us see what the codes tell us.
Roland