« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE  (Read 4719 times)

Offline disalarm

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 6
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« on: September 26, 2004, 06:34:02 pm »
I have had the van 6 months.  After first couple months the check Eng.\Guages Lite went on, the volt guage died, off the scale, few mins later it corrected it self.  Couple months later, after it was shut off after driving it around, store hopping, it won't start.  Sound like a dead battery.
Eng.\Guages Lite went on, the volt guage died, off the scale, Boosted it, ran sluggish, kept foot on gas so it wouldn't die, but after a block or two it did.  This went on for a dozens time to limp it to a garage, where it sat the weekend.  Mon. Morning the mechcanic hopped into it, started fine & has been running fine so far.

But withs kids, I can't trust it.  Ive been told to bring it in when it is down, but its always fixing it self before any-one can look at it.
I am thinking of getting rid of it, but what to buy?  All the Mini-Vans seem to have GREMLINS
Logged

Roadrunner

  • Guest
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2004, 10:03:12 pm »
Welcome to the forum Disalarm.
The van is a 1992, correct? If so, it more than likely has a high mileage. Expect things to fail.
You've got three+ (to start with) possible faults.  
1) Intermittent spark....coils?
2) air/fuel fault, maybe a vacuum leak or a fuel regulator (pressure) not holding, perhaps a failing fuel pump, plugged/partially plugged fuel filter, water in fuel? The van IS 12 years old now.
3) Bad ground Somewhere? Is the alternator in good condition and charging correctly? Worn brushes can cause a miriad of faults.

Not all minivans have Gremlins, only those with hard to find faults. PS: the only things that are tarred with the same brush are polititions. (not vehicles)
Logged

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2004, 10:04:09 pm »
Disalarm Welcome to the Forum, Sorry to hear of your problems. Sounds like a electrical problem to me but hard to say without seeing it. You will hear many opions on different Mini-Vans here but I for one prefer the GM Product Line.
Logged

Offline saint_satan

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Location: Holland Landing, Ontario
  • Posts: 1016
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2004, 10:45:32 pm »
Get a charging system test, make sure your battery and alternator are okay.  Sometimes a Crankshaft Position Sensor or Throttle Position Sensor (Common Problems on Chrysler products) can cause it not to start - the battery is a bit of a mystery.  

A poorly charging battery will run down overnight as there is a certain about of power drained do to electronic gizmo's.  It my be fine while running, but will run down if left overnight.  A battery test is the best $30 you will ever spend for this kind of problem.
Logged

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2004, 11:40:42 pm »
Next time it does this battery quirk Tap firmly on the regulator with the butt end of a screwdriver. They had a habit of the points getting stuck on occasion, would drain the system dead in a very short time. After Tapping a bit they would start and run great indefinitely after a boost.  If this occurs you have found the culprit part and should replace it.  

(Message edited by barrie1 on September 26, 2004)
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15053
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2004, 01:14:59 am »
Well like Saint says, crank position sensor (actually it is like a flywheel position sensor) is high on the list.  If it were a 4L jeep 6 banger I would be 100% the cause.

92 Caravan with mileage not a great choice.  These problems can run into serious money.

Most relable van is the GM Safari type with the full frame and rear wheel drive.  The V6 and trannies in these units are good.  Parts are cheap.  Gas mileage bad though, but endless repairs worse.

Watch out for Toyotas that were affected by motor sludge.

Lots of reearch on net.  Try google
Logged
“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,”     Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15053
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2004, 01:55:20 am »
Logged

Offline disalarm

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 6
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2004, 04:26:16 pm »
I am thinking of trading  in my 92 Caravan for a 95-96, to get rid of the untracable short.  My choices are 1. Pontiac Montana  2. Ford Wind-Star 3.Chev. Venture  or lastly the Dodge Caravan. From what I read, they all have their share of problems, But I wouldn't mind a little feed back from some previous owners or even some-one that knows most of the vehicles (like a dealer)
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15053
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2004, 07:44:16 pm »
What do you expect to get for your 92?  All the choices that you stated in those years are turkeys.  You will be no better off.  Just another set of major problems.

Montana/Venture is same unit.  Windstar in those years an absolute disaster.  DC minvan of that era marginally better.

Dealers won't tell you the truth.  Mechanics will though.  The book on a water pump for a Winstar is 8.5 hours.  Took my buddy 11. The whole van is so poorly engineered.

Look for rear drive GM Safari or it's counterpart (forget name) if you insist on a van.  These are rugged units and I have seen them over 400,000 km without major problems.

PS  Buy a basic Honda CIVIC.  
Logged

Offline ovr50

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: Kelowna, BC
  • Posts: 18426
  • Carma: +9/-120
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2004, 08:27:50 pm »
OTOH, Arctic, I have a friend who has a 1997 (I think) Safari which has been in the shop more than its been out. Major items like front suspension. There are gremlins everywhere.
Logged
2011 BMW X3 35i Vermillion Red, MSport
and
2012 Toyota Camry SE V6 in Alpine White

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15053
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2004, 11:08:53 pm »
Van for van, Safari and Astro are strong units.  Rear drive units that have normal American pickup type front end assemblies which are very cheap.  TRW/Moog, doesn't really matter.  Ball joints/25 bucks/tie rods 20 bucks/etc.  You can replace the entire front end of those things for 500 bucks.

4.3 never stops running and trannies strong.  Downside is BAD gas mileage due to size and weight and fuel pump assemblies suck.

Maybe your friend has the all wheel drive version because the 2 wheel drive vans are not trouble and cheap to fix.

Also, many people do one little repair at a time. One bushing, then 6 months later a tie rod then maybe a ball joint.  Best is to redo the entire front because always taking apart the suspension for one item at a time is where the money adds up (redundant labour).

The other vans mention, in those years mentioned, are junk.
Logged

Offline ovr50

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: Kelowna, BC
  • Posts: 18426
  • Carma: +9/-120
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2004, 11:22:30 pm »
Yep, right you are on several counts:
- gas consumption is terrible
- I think it is AWD she has  
- one repair at a time is all she can afford so that's the way it's been.  
But -- hope is on the way; she has new fellow who does very well at his business and they are talking of marriage so maybe she will get rid of Safari-Sam and get something else???  
BTW - she's a very attractive lady, so her fellow can benefit by getting her a new rig.

Logged

Mdxtasy

  • Guest
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2004, 11:24:37 pm »
Perhaps a Bullit Mustang is in store for this lady?  
Logged

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2004, 11:45:36 pm »
If she has been a GM Fan then a Vette more then likely in order.
Logged

Offline ovr50

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: Kelowna, BC
  • Posts: 18426
  • Carma: +9/-120
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2004, 12:17:29 am »
Hey, guys, nothing to do with me personally. She is a friend and ex-co-worker only...Geez, good thing my wife doesn't read this stuff.
Logged

Offline disalarm

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 6
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #15 on: October 03, 2004, 12:09:40 am »

Hey guys guess what.  I just got the thing out of the body shop (attempt theft 3rd time).  I asked them to check out the heating, blew little heat.
After backflushing it, rad cap & Themostat, the garage says that their was a prob with the fan.  It doesnèt kick on,  Pwr in the sensor, so they said it could be a short in the wire further up or a short in the computer.
WELL!  I am taking a gamble by the way it was acting up, & replaced the computer, oon as they did that, the fan started working.  So I suspect I may have been right,....Time Will Tell!  Computer cost only 65.00 used at a wreckers, so I figure I couldnèt go wrong.
Logged

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #16 on: October 03, 2004, 01:05:32 pm »
Yes hopefully you have this problem solved. Please keep us informed.
Logged

Roadrunner

  • Guest
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2004, 04:20:17 pm »
Wish you happy motoring, but buying electronics from a wrecker is a gamble at best.
Logged

Mdxtasy

  • Guest
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2004, 09:19:14 pm »
Glad all things worked out....hope everything goes well with the van.  image
Logged

Offline saint_satan

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Location: Holland Landing, Ontario
  • Posts: 1016
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Intermitting Short-Caravan 92 LE
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2004, 09:40:37 pm »
Wrecker parts on a van this old may not be a bad idea.  A new brain would be worth MORE than the van!!!!
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »