Can someone explain Dodge Service Dept's to me...

#41

On Fri, 18 May 2007 23:23:51 -0700, "Ted Mittelstaedt"
<tedm (AT) toybox (DOT) placo.com> wrote:

Quote:

"maxpower" <damnnickname (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:feydnZuaiKOWmdPbnZ2dnUVZ_jCdnZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...

"Ted Mittelstaedt" <tedm (AT) toybox (DOT) placo.com> wrote in message
news:newscache$4fd8ij$e961$1 (AT) news (DOT) ipinc.net...

"maxpower" <damnnickname (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:iOWdnQYuo-kH9drbnZ2dnUVZ_i2dnZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...

"Ted Mittelstaedt" <tedm (AT) toybox (DOT) placo.com> wrote in message
news:newscache$q02zhj$a7k$1 (AT) news (DOT) ipinc.net...

"maxpower" <damnnickname (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:avadnbiq37RRP9nbnZ2dnUVZ_sCinZ2d (AT) comcast (DOT) com...

WRONG!! As I said there are reflashes out on particular model
Minivans
tha
require a flash of the PCM to install software that will update
the
engine
controller for an intermittent fault for turning the Check engine
lite
on
and setting a code for the EGR .

OK Maxpower,

I have 2 minivans, a 94 and 95 T&C with the 3.8L BOTH vans do
this -
set
the EGR code in the CEL, intermittently. I've swapped valves,
replaced
them,
taken the old ones apart. No problems, no cracked diaphram,
selonoids
work.
EGR system passes all the diagnostics in the FSM. Both vans pass
NoX
emissions
with flying colors. This problem has been happening for years on
both
of
these vans.

This is the FIRST time I've read in this forum any statement from
anyone
claiming to be a dealership mechanic that this is a known problem
with
a firmware update for the engine computer to fix it on certain vans.

So, are mine part of this known problem? If so, what is the TSB #?

Ted

I take that back, there is a reflash out that could pertain to your
vehicle
if the fault code is for EGR system failure. It only pertains to
setting
a
fault where the ambient temp is below 40 degree F and that is the TSB
that
was posted earlier.

It is the general EGR system failure code. And yes I did try a new
valve
in
one
of the vehicles. And no, the pins on the selonoids are fine. It could
possibly be
bad FEMALE contacts in the selonoid plug - but to have both vehicles
doing
it?

I don't live in an area with a lot of corrosion (no salt on the roads,
etc.)
so general
we don't see corrosion issues on electrical. But, as for ambient temp
being
below 40 - that one I don't know. I hadn't noticed. The fact that the
computers
are flashable, though, that's useful. I'll have to get one of them done
and
see
if it makes a difference.

Ted

Ted. Does it happen in Temp below 40 degrees? do you notice that is only
sets in the winter?

It is very random. It will go for months without doing it then do it
several times
in succession. The more common trigger appears to be crusing at around
55Mph
for a long period of time - such as a half hour. Interestingly enough, if I
cruise
for the same period of time at 65Mph it usually -won't- do it. But, I've
had it
do it 10 minutes after starting the van, and just doing 30Mph city driving.

I can do the test procedure in the FSM all day long to each van and the
EGR valve always checks out, whether the van is hot or cold.

Both vehicles behave the same way and both give the same error codes, and
both
have very low NoX emissions. We have state-run IM testing here and you can
take a
vehicle through the test center for free any time you want. Both seem to
have done this
with the same regularity in both summer and winter. But, the coldest it
ever gets
here during winter is about down to 28 degrees.

In other factoids, both engines have very different maintainence histories.
The
95 was bathed in oil, serviced by the dealer. The 94 was bathed in dirt,
and
serviced by Clive with an assortment of kitchen implements. (I bought both
vans
used) The 94 seems to have been very happy with getting back on to a
regular
oil change regimen, and better maintainence. The 94 has about 145K on it,
the
95 has about 120K on it.

I have an OTC Monitor 4000E with the engine computer connector and one of
these days if I get ambitious I keep thinking I'll set it up to record
events, and see
if I can catch the thing doing it. One obstacle to doing that, though, is
that now
with the better weather, I'm riding the CB750 every day and haven't done
much
driving in the van.

Ted

When i looked, that TSB only appllied to '95 models. Didn't see it for
the '94, but I could have missed it.

The fact that it's intermittent could have something to do with when
the PCM actually runs the EGR 'monitor'. It's under specific
conditions, so it may run at one speed (load) and not another. It does
run under light load, steady cruise conditions. The PCM compares short
term fuel trim without EGR to STFT with EGR. If there isn't enough of
a shift, the fault is set.

It could also be that they are right at the edge of failure. Sometimes
they'll fail and sometimes they won't. Partially blocked EGR tubes
and intake manifold passages could cause it.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Can someone explain Dodge Service Dept's to me...

Chrysler Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, Eagle, etc info/talk (rec.autos.makers.chrysler)

Re: Can someone explain Dodge Service Dept's to me... - 05-19-2007 , 02:29 PM