Car help - 90’s Dodge caravan
Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: News And Views
Forum Name: Thoughts and Opinions
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URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=116976
Printed Date: 16 January 2026 at 12:27pm
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Topic: Car help - 90’s Dodge caravan
Posted By: *Stealth*
Subject: Car help - 90’s Dodge caravan
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 10:28am
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Well, The ol Caravan has been sitting around for about 3 years in the
driveway awaiting a new alternator, And since I got my license a few
months ago, I decided to claim it and drop a new 'alter' in it... Well, when we first stopped useing it, all she needed was a new alter and mabye a new batt.. Apon dropping the new Alter in it, we found there was some serious transmission problems, We would throw it out of gear all the time... That has seemed to work itself out, the stearing wheel also mysteriosly smoked.... But that has stopped. The problem is, This van has the slowest acceleration i've ever seen, and can only seem to manage 50 MPH, I can obtain 50 MPH after about 3 miles of flouring it... I was wondering if any one might happen to know what the problem is? the acceleration seems to be a bit faster when its warmed up, but still slow... I am flouring it to manage 45 MPH... I like the caravan because it's a great storage vehicle and party van.. but when I need 10 mins of solid floruing to get it to 45... I got problems. ------------- |
Replies:
Posted By: Big D844
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 10:34am
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I know what the problem is - It's a '90 Dodge Carvan. The solution - Racing stripes. And 13" wire spoke pimp wheels. Oh, and don't forget the giant aluminum wing on top. Those are the only known fixes to your Caravan problem. That, or find another car. ------------- |
Posted By: Hades
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 10:52am
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For even extra power add shag carpet, subwoofers, and several Plasma screen TVs. ------------- 
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Posted By: stick_boy_2002
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 10:58am
my friends 90's caravan had subs in it, we were gonna put this old brown shag carpet in it but decide not to. and as for the acceleration, in a van it sucks we were only able to get my friends van up to 90. ------------- 
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Hades wrote:Posted By: *Stealth*
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 11:02am
I already have Shag... Im working on Subs. ------------- |
Posted By: procarbinefreak
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 11:09am
| i know what your problem is... your flouring it. i mean, you're not making cookies! why would you have flour in the van! |
Posted By: *Stealth*
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 11:29am
LOL, I was wondering if any would catch that, I could'nt bring myself to say flooring it because its so slow, So I said flouring it (Intended to be said flowering it, but flowering is to easy to spot) ------------- |
Posted By: Unicorn
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 12:41pm
| If you can find any way to convince your parents to trade it in, do so immediately. The 90's Dodge Caravans have the worst history of any vechicle ever rated by Consumer Reports. For like 8 years in a row they had the lowest ratings. |
Posted By: Reb Cpl
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 12:43pm
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Not being a car person myself, my guess is that there may be something with a filter somewhere.. I learned how to drive on a caravan, and I loved it. while it's not QUITE as hefty as a truck in terms of storage capabilities, it's still very good. I still tool around in the parents voyager every now and then when I'm not driving my tempo. Say what you will about them, minivans are very good cars.
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Posted By: adrenalinejunky
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 1:39pm
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what engine do you have? and what year specifically was it made?
i'd say check your air filter, spark plugs/wires, and ignition coil for starters. |
Posted By: Apache16
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 1:40pm
Anyways, Caravan transmissions are not very durable. I would Check the transmission fluid (make sure car is running), and make sure it has enough, possibly change it. Also, take it to a shop and have them flush the transmission. Worked miracles on our old caravan. ------------- My markers- Tippmann 98 custom- 14" j&j ceramic, 12v revvy xboard Spyder Aggressor xt Brass Eagle Raptor ltd- 12" eagleworks ;) |
Posted By: Bunkered
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 2:13pm
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As Reb Cpl said, check your filters.
My car was doing EXACTLY the same thing you said yours is. A new air filter and a cleaned throttle body fixed that problem immediately. You can clean the throttle body by spraying anti-gunk stuff in there while someone steps on the gas (in "park" obviously). Also, the fuel filter is always a good thing to replace. And like Apache16 said, you'll want to check the transmission fluid. I'd also recommend changing the spark plugs and putting some Dry-gas in the tank if it's been sitting there for 3 years. Then fill it up with premium to boost the octane. ------------- 
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Posted By: Tae Kwon Do
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 2:29pm
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I almost bought a 91 Caravan for 900 bucks. When I took it for a testdrive, I floored it and burned out of the lot. All 4 cylinders kickin' it. ------------- 
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Posted By: The Guy
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 2:36pm
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http://www.chiltonsonline.com/ - http://www.chiltonsonline.com/
------------- http://www.anomationanodizing.com - My Site 
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Posted By: evil_fingers
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 3:45pm
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8 years, they should go back a lil further, I had a 87 Dodge Caravan (over 180,000 miles) that my dad gladly gave to me.....after 2,000 miles down the road the Timing Belt snapped in two in the middle of the freeway...$3000 later on repairs/tow charges and raggin on my dad fer not tellin me that the belt was never replaced, he gave me the go ahead and trade it in fer a new 2001 GMC Sonoma. This is fer *stealth* bring yer old used and abused Caravan to an automotive repair shop (not a gas station) or if you know someone that owns/runs a repair shop and have them run a full "diagnostic check" on the entire motor to find out what exactly is wrong wit it. ------------- Do not steal....the government hates competition! 
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Posted By: adrenalinejunky
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 5:33pm
| a timing belt snapping at 180,000 miles is a lack of maintenence problem... not anything wrong with the car. |
Posted By: Pump Scout
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 5:42pm
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Fuel pump going bad will do that, and the transmission thing sounds a LOT like the shift solonoid. I've had an 88 and a 93 Chrysler van, and had to have those items replaced on both of mine.
By the way, flooring a vehichle that's starving out on gas (for whatever reason) will cause slower acceleration than if you gently give it gas. ------------- http://www.geocities.com/limitedpump - Limited Pump Paintball |
Posted By: Bunkered
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 5:43pm
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For the love of God, do NOT bring your car to a mechanic until you're sure it's not something simple.
If you do go to a repair shop, don't give them any ideas, just ask them to tell you what's wrong. If you tell them you think it's a transmission problem, they're going to find a way to bill you for a transmission, even if that's not what it is. Do anything you can to fix it by yourself. A mechanic should be your last resort if you care to save any money... -------------
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Posted By: RfUiLreZ
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 6:17pm
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Check the Catalytic converters. Friend of mine had a 87 Cougar that wouldn't pass 30 MPH when Flooring it, but when gently giving it gas it would. We gutted the cats, which happened to be completely clogged, and it ran mint.
I would also recommend changing the oil and filter. Use this when you do: http://www.autobarn.net/chmf-3.html - http://www.autobarn.net/chmf-3.html Just a warning though. If you use it, DO NOT LEAVE IT IN MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. It is VERY harsh and CAN ruin the engine. Heard some stories from my Shop teacher about this. Run it for a week and chaning the oil and filter again. Just to get any crap out of oil, and oil Galleries that you can. Also, add this: http://www.autobarn.net/chm49-12.html - http://www.autobarn.net/chm49-12.html To a can of gas. Chances are if you left it sitting for 3 yrs, the gasoline has gummed up the internals and are not letting it work properly. Flushing the radiator would also be a good idea. Seeing how the radiator is probably rusted to crap. Also, if you know how, check the rear brakes. If the parking break was left on while it was out, and it's dragging, it could decrease gas milage, and if it's dragging alot, it could be holding the car back. Just a few suggestions from a Automotive Student. |
Posted By: BearClaw
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 7:35pm
I'll Fix it for you  .
Honestly being as the vehical has sat for a LONG time id be looking at
exhuast(Colapsed muffler baffel WOuld MURDER HP and filters (Fuel Oil & Air). Also check plugs wires and yor Distributer cap and rotor. Also PLEASE tell me you changed the oil (Engine and Trans) befor driving after 3YEARS. Also is this also 3 year old GAS. The Caravans 3.0L V6 have a NASTY habit of leaking and burning engine oil and they EAT autos. But i unfortuantly dont know mutch about the 4 bangers. Also know prob with the caravans is the Throtte body isues. I by the way am a mechanic (well a apprentice one any way) but i work on trucks and buses so my knoledge of these gas powered things is limmited. Oh and for your info not all mechanics are crooks. I HATE that stereo type. ------------- AGD 68 Automag Azodin KPII Sheridan PGP2K Tippmann Crossover XVR Tippmann ProCarbine Tippmann SL68-II Tippmann TiPX |
Posted By: Bunkered
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 7:47pm
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BearClaw: No not all. But if you come in and don't know what's going on, you have at least a decent chance of getting ripped off.
It's a good idea to learn how to work on your own car anyways. -------------
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Posted By: ekeboo
Date Posted: 25 October 2004 at 9:16pm
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im thinking either fuel pump or fuel filter. our fuel filter on our suburban got clogged and we could tell the 454 wasnt pumping out the horsyes like it used too. -------------  
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