Why does my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan idle smooth in drive with A/C on, but not with A/C off?

120

Asked by tomoszo May 06, 2017 at 11:34 PM about the Dodge Grand Caravan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan idle smooth in drive with A/C on, but not with A/C off.  I have 296,000 miles on it.  At a stop light, the RPM goes from 700 to below 600 in drive.  When it gets near 600, it starts to idle rough.  If I hold the break and just tap the accelerator lightly, it will start idling smoothly again at around 700 RPM.  I have spent many hours and months trying to trouble shoot this problem; are there any suggestions?

7 Answers

1,270

When you turn on the AC the compressor rise the engine rpm.but when you turn off the vehicle will stall because need tuneup and use clean injectors you will see some different.

120

Engine does not stall; it only run rough when the RPM lower to 600 RPM and lower in drive. There are no codes. Tuneup was recently done and bad injectors replaced and then cleaned. Here is another part of the puzzle. Engine idle smooth in reverse, neutral and park.

40,075

intake leak ? get starting fluid around gaskets and see if idle changes , check for worn/cracked hoses and vacuum lines

120

I was thinking the same thing; I tried carburetor cleaner, brake cleaner around all area I could reach with the engine running. No change in RPM. I think I can hear a leak when I accelerate hard up to 80. I will check under van soon for vacuum leak, but is too afraid to have the engine running at the same time. I don't have a smoke machine.

2 people found this helpful.
40,075

take the tension off the serp. belt and see if the A/C pulley turns freely engine off .

7 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Grand Caravan

Looking for a Used Grand Caravan in your area?

CarGurus has 2,048 nationwide Grand Caravan listings starting at $2,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Whitney C
    Reputation
    3,690
  • #2
    timof5
    Reputation
    3,670
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    2,780
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chrysler Town & Country
4 Great Deals out of 116 listings starting at $6,999
Used Honda Odyssey
48 Great Deals out of 1,043 listings starting at $5,490
Used Toyota Sienna
42 Great Deals out of 869 listings starting at $3,000
Used Chrysler Pacifica
44 Great Deals out of 1,228 listings starting at $14,950
Used Dodge Caravan
4 listings
Used Ford Explorer
75 Great Deals out of 2,091 listings starting at $3,995
Used Dodge Journey
41 Great Deals out of 818 listings starting at $3,850
Used Dodge Durango
55 Great Deals out of 2,218 listings starting at $5,500
Used Ford Expedition
19 Great Deals out of 825 listings starting at $7,888
Used Kia Sedona
12 Great Deals out of 215 listings starting at $3,800
Used Ford F-150
309 Great Deals out of 13,933 listings starting at $1,712
Used Dodge RAM 1500
6 Great Deals out of 72 listings starting at $3,000
Used Honda Pilot
36 Great Deals out of 1,300 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Tacoma
46 Great Deals out of 1,074 listings starting at $9,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.