Dodge Caravan not picking up speed between 0 and 30 km/hr

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Dodge Grand Caravan slow acceleration causes and how to fix it

P O S T E D O N   D E C E MB E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 1   B Y   NA B E E L

Driving your Dodge Grand Caravan with engine hesitation or slow acceleration is not only infuriating, it can also be
dangerous when overtaking or when crossing an intersection. Sluggish acceleration is a symptom of an underlying
problem with your Grand Caravan, which must be resolved urgently before it does more damage to your vehicle.

Dodge
Grand Caravan – (IFCAR / Wikipedia)

The most common causes for slow acceleration in Dodge Grand Caravan are clogged air filter, dirty mass air flow
sensor (MAF), clogged fuel filter, fuel pump malfunction, faulty oxygen sensor, dirty throttle body, worn spark plugs
and clogged catalytic converter. Less common causes are faulty throttle position sensor (TPS), bad ignition coils, dirty
fuel injectors, clogged engine oil filter, transmission problem, worn piston rings and blown head gasket.

1. Clogged air filter

If the air filter is dirty in your Dodge Grand Caravan, it can have a negative effect on the performance of the engine,
as less air passes through the dirty filter which suffocates the engine. This ultimately also increases fuel consumption.
In the worst case, the engine can stall if the air filter is extremely clogged.
Replacing the filter on your Grand Caravan takes a few minutes and does not require any special knowledge. So this
is the first thing you should check.

2. Dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor (MAF)

Defective or dirty mass air flow sensor (MAF) in your Dodge Grand Caravan can result in loss of power, uneven
engine running, erratic idling, misfires, poor exhaust emission values including black smoke. The mass air flow sensor
is part of the engine’s intake system and is located between the air filter box and the throttle valve. It is not only
important for power delivery in your Grand Caravan, but also for the lowest possible pollutant emissions.

What happens when MAF sensor malfunctions in Dodge Grand Caravan?

If the MAF sensor is defective or dirty, it does not send correct measured values to the control unit of Grand Caravan.
The optimal amount of fuel can no longer be calculated which results in either too little or too much fuel injected
into the combustion chambers. The engine runs too “lean” or too “rich”. This can cause the engine warning light to
illuminate in the instrument cluster and the fault can be read out by a diagnostic device.

What causes MAF sensor to fail in Grand Caravan?

The mass air flow sensor is a wearing part. As the mileage increases on your Grand Caravan, it can happen that
increasingly inaccurate values are sent to the engine control unit. With a noticeable loss of performance and high
mileage, a defective MAF sensor should definitely be considered. However, the sensor can also malfunction earlier.
When driving fast in heavy rain, water can occasionally pass through the air filter, which can severely impair the
function of the MAF sensor. In rare cases, the MAF sensor can also be damaged by oil vapors flowing back out of the
crankcase ventilation after the engine has been switched off.

How to check if the MAF sensor is bad in Dodge Grand Caravan?

Reading out the fault codes using a diagnostic device is relatively reliable. If you see P0100, P0101, P0102, P0103 or
P0104 code in the OBD2 scanner, it indicates a problem with the mass air flow sensor. However, it can happen that
there are no error codes. In case of doubt, the sensor may have to be replaced. But this should only be done after an
extensive analysis as the MAF sensor may not be responsible for the symptoms of poor acceleration in your Grand
Caravan.

Can I clean a dirty MAF sensor in Dodge Grand Caravan?

In some cases, cleaning the mass air flow sensor can help the sensor measure the correct values again. However,
caution is advised here, as the sensor parts are very sensitive to touch. Find the location of the MAF sensor in your
Grand Caravan, unplug the electrical connectors, and remove the sensor from the housing. Spray at least 10 spurts of
MAF cleaner onto the sensor and then let it air dry for an hour or until completely dry. Do not use cloth or cotton
swabs to clean the sensor, as it can damage it.

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Note (MAP Sensor): If you can’t find MAF sensor in your vehicle, it is possible your vehicle may not have one,
especially if its an older vehicle. Instead, the air mass flow rate is calculated by the control unit using the data from
the MAP sensor. A faulty MAP sensor presents more or less the same symptoms as a faulty MAF sensor.

3. Clogged fuel filter

If the fuel filter is clogged in your Dodge Grand Caravan, not enough fuel can get into the engine. This causes loss of
power and jerking of the vehicle when accelerating. In worse case scenario, engine cuts out while driving due to
insufficient fuel supply.

If this happens, the control unit in Grand Caravan can detect the lack of fuel problem and the engine check light will
illuminate. You may see error code P0087 when you connect OBD2 scanner to your vehicle, which indicates a fault
within the fuel delivery system.

How does the fuel filter get clogged in Grand Caravan?

The fuel filter is designed to prevent rust particles and other debris from your vehicle’s fuel tank from getting into the
engine, where they would cause expensive damage. If you don’t follow the maintenance schedule of your Grand
Caravan and don’t change the fuel filter on time, the permeability of the filter drops and so does the fuel pressure in
the engine. To a certain extent it does not matter, but if the fuel filter becomes too dirty, the engine performance
will be reduced.

4. Clogged catalytic converter

The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system in Dodge Grand Caravan and its main purpose is to convert
exhaust gases that are harmful to health and the environment into less harmful byproducts. Over time, toxins
accumulate and clog up the catalytic converter, especially if the vehicle has racked up a lot of miles.
What are the signs of bad catalytic converter in Dodge Grand Caravan?

Common signs of clogged catalytic converter in Grand Caravan are irregular running of the engine, unusual exhaust
gas odor, poor fuel economy, engine check light illuminates, limited performance above a certain speed or loss of
performance, and sometimes rattling noises.

How long does the catalytic converter last in Dodge Grand Caravan?

There are many factors that affect its service life, but typically the catalytic converter last between 70,000 and
100,000 miles in Grand Caravan. However, it can fail much earlier due to other faults, for example: misfires in the
engine, bad air-fuel mixture, faulty oxygen sensor or coolant in the combustion chambers can lead to catalytic
converter failure.

5. Faulty oxygen sensor

The oxygen sensor in Dodge Grand Caravan monitors the level of pollutants in the engine’s exhaust gases and reports
the data to the control unit that continuously adjusts the air to fuel ratio in the engine. If the oxygen sensor develops
a fault, it will send incorrect readings to the control unit which can result in slow acceleration, loss of power, irregular
idling, engine hesitation, or stalling.

Can a bad O2 sensor lead to catalytic converter failure in Dodge Grand Caravan?
Faulty oxygen sensors are the leading cause of catalytic converter failures. If you suspect a problem with O2 sensor,
you should act immediately and get it checked by a professional mechanic. O2 sensors are relatively cheap compared
to the price of catalytic converters, which can easily cost you over a thousand dollars to replace.

How to check for faulty oxygen sensor in Grand Caravan?

If there is any fault in the oxygen sensor, it usually illuminates the engine check light in the instrument cluster of
Grand Caravan. You can diagnose the problem by connecting an OBD2 scanner to your vehicle. If you see any error
code from P0130 to P0135 or from P0150 to P0155, it indicates a problem with the upstream oxygen sensor.

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6. Dirty throttle body

Dirty throttle body can also be the cause of slow acceleration in your Dodge Grand Caravan. The common signs of
dirty throttle body are poor engine performance, erratic idle, the engine react poorly to movements of the
accelerator pedal, and the engine sputters or stalls.

A
throttle body typically gets dirty after 70,000 miles, particularly in vehicles that are mostly driven in stop-and-go city
traffic. But an air leak in the intake system or an engine malfunction can contaminate the throttle valve much earlier.

One of the main causes of a faulty throttle is internal contamination. The throttle valve regulates the supply of air to
the internal combustion engine. Over time, dirt and grime that escapes through the air filter can accumulate in the
throttle body, this results in improper throttle valve movement, which causes problems with the control of the air
supply.

7. Faulty throttle position sensor (TPS)

The throttle position sensor or TPS is used to determine the opening angle of the throttle valve. The information
obtained is sent to the control unit and contributes to the calculation of the amount of fuel required. The symptoms
of defective throttle position sensor in Grand Caravan are usually reduced engine performance, engine jerks, RPM
fluctuations when idling and a slow drop in speed after the driver has released the accelerator.

If you see any error code from P0120 to P0124 on OBD2 scanner, it indicates a problem with the TPS sensor.

8. Fuel pump malfunction

The fuel pump in your Dodge Grand Caravan is like a beating heart that pumps fuel to the engine when the vehicle is
running. A malfunctioning fuel pump can result in irregular or decreased acceleration, poor engine starting behavior,
engine jerking or stalling while driving and a decrease in fuel efficiency.

Fuel
pumps aren’t cheap, make sure the fault actually lies with the fuel pump before replacing one.
Common causes of a defective fuel pump are leaks or contamination within the pump, this can illuminate the engine
check light in your Grand Caravan. Diagnostic codes that a bad fuel pump can trigger are P0230, P0231, P0232 and
P0087.

9. Bad spark plugs or ignition coils

If the spark plugs in your Grand Caravan are not generating sparks properly, the engine will no longer run optimally.
This is often noticeable in a loss of performance and increased fuel consumption. You may also notice that the engine
is not running smoothly or the engine is jerking while driving – sometimes the engine simply cuts out. If you continue
to drive with a defective spark plug, you run the risk of very expensive consequential damage, for example catalytic
converter failure.

A
comparison between worn and new spark plug.

The ignition coils are part of the ignition system on your Grand Caravan and are responsible for amplifying the
relatively low battery voltage from 12V to a high voltage of tens of thousands of volts for the spark plugs. A fault in
an ignition coil can cause poor sparking which can result in poor engine performance. The symptoms of a bad ignition
coil are more or less the same as a bad spark plug.

10. Dirty fuel injectors

Fuel injectors are part of the fuel delivery system that sprays fuel in the form of a high-pressure mist. Over time they
can get clogged due to hydrocarbons, sediment and other elements in the fuel. When that happens, proper amount
of fuel can no longer be delivered to the combustion chamber at the correct pressure.

Common symptoms of clogged fuel injectors in Dodge Grand Caravan are slow acceleration, rough idling, irregular
engine performance, increased fuel consumption, engine hesitation and misfiring.

Is it safe to use fuel injector cleaners in Dodge Grand Caravan?

Cleaning the fuel injector nozzles using fuel additives almost always leads to an improvement in the injection
behavior, since the additive dissolves the deposits on the nozzles. But before using your preferred injection system
cleaner in your Grand Caravan, it is recommended to find out if its approved by Dodge in advance. Because the
additive is poured into the fuel tank and gets through the entire fuel system and the engine. Some injector cleaners
can cause damage to the oxygen sensor.

11. Clogged engine oil filter

The engine oil filter in your Dodge Grand Caravan ensure that the engine oil remains free of dirt particles, metal
shavings, soot or unburned fuel, thus preventing damage. If the filter becomes clogged, it can cause the engine to
sputter, the faster you drive, the more it sputters.

Although most oil filters have a bypass valve or pressure relief valve, which activates when the filter becomes
clogged after it has not been replaced in time, but in rare cases the bypass valve can fail.

12. Transmission problem

A malfunction in the transmission can also be responsible for slow acceleration problem in your Grand Caravan.
Transmission is a complex component, it is responsible for transferring the power from the engine to the wheels.
There are many gears that mesh with one another. Sooner or later this friction leads to wear on the components,
especially if your Grand Caravan has racked up a lot of miles or if you didn’t change transmission fluid in time.

A faulty transmission usually show other signs including grinding or clunking noises, jerky acceleration and burning
smell.

13. Worn piston rings or valve seals

The piston rings are sealing element on pistons of the internal combustion engine in Dodge Grand Caravan. The
purpose of both valve seals and piston rings is to keep engine oil out of the combustion chamber. When the piston
rings are worn or damaged, the combustion chamber of the engine loses pressure. This results in reduced engine
power as the piston is unable to fully compress the fuel and air mixture.
 Pisto
n rings easily last over 150,000 miles with proper engine care.

The most common symptoms of worn piston rings in Grand Caravan are: blue colored smoke comes out of the
tailpipe, a lack of acceleration power, excessive oil consumption and engine misfires.

14. Blown head gasket

The head gasket is responsible for providing the seal between the engine block and cylinder heads. Its purpose is to
seal the combustion gases within the cylinders and to avoid coolant or engine oil leaking into the cylinders. Leaks in
the head gasket can cause all sorts of problems including poor engine performance and/or overheating.
 Hea
d gaskets can fail at any time, but they typically last at least 100,000 miles with proper engine maintenance.

Common signs of leaking head gasket in Grand Caravan are white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, coolant level
going down as it burns in the engine, oil in coolant bottle, and milkshake color oil in engine due to mixing of oil and
coolant.

How to check if head gasket is leaking in Grand Caravan?

You don’t have to go to a workshop to check for a leaking head gasket in your Grand Caravan. There are test kits
available in the market in which you just have to insert a tube filled with colored liquid in the radiator (in place of the
radiator cap), and then start the engine. If the liquid changes color, then there is a leak in head gasket.

Use OBD2 scanner for diagnosis

Since Dodge Grand Caravan is equipped with on-board diagnostics (OBD), a fault diagnosis can provide initial
indications of where the malfunction is located.
 OB
D2 scanners are now available in various designs. You can use a standalone diagnostic device (shown above) or get
an OBD2 adapter that connects with a smartphone app via Bluetooth or WiFi.

To begin troubleshooting, you must first connect the diagnostic tool to your Grand Caravan. The OBDII connector is
usually located under the dashboard. With the tool connected, turn on the ignition. Most diagnostic devices then ask
for some information about the vehicle. It is important that you enter this 100% correctly, otherwise the result of the
search may be inaccurate. In addition to the vehicle make, model, and engine type, you usually also have to type in
the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Since some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, the scanner will be able to
give you more accurate information if you enter more details about your Grand Caravan.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why your Dodge Grand Caravan is not accelerating properly. When looking for the reason,
you should always start with the most obvious causes, problem with air intake or fuel supply.

In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the
sluggish acceleration issue for you.
https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/dodge/grand-caravan/car-is-getting-worse-gas-mileage-inspection

Car is getting worse gas mileage Inspection Service

How much does a Car is getting worse gas mileage Inspection cost?
On average, the cost for a Dodge Grand Caravan Car is getting worse gas mileage Inspection is $95 with $0
for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.
SHOW EXAMPLE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN  CAR IS GETTING WORSE GAS MILEAGE INSPECTION  PRICES

Poor gas mileage, especially a sudden drop in fuel efficiency, can be blamed on a number of issues. It can
also be an indicator of a much more serious issue that if left un-repaired, can develop into an expensive
repair.

There are dozens of problems that can lead to a drop in gas mileage, some of them are serious and some can
be easily corrected. Here are some of the more common issues that can affect the fuel efficiency of most
cars.

How this system works:

The fuel system stores and supplies fuel to the car to help drive the engine. Fuel is mixed with air, atomized
and vaporized in the engine intake system. It is then compressed in the engine cylinder and ignited which
produces energy to move the pistons. There are different engine layouts and designs but most of them work
in the same basic way.

When the system is working as designed, and under certain conditions, maximum fuel efficiency will be
achieved. Numerous factors can have an affect on fuel efficiency so it is usually a constantly changing
number but a serious and sudden drop in miles per gallon is cause for concern and the vehicle should be
inspected.

Common reasons for this to happen:

 Dirty Oxygen Sensor: An oxygen sensor measures exactly how rich or lean the exhaust gases are when
they leave the combustion chamber. The data is used by the vehicle computer to adjust the amount of fuel
entering the engine. If the sensor is dirty or failing it can lead to a drop in miles per gallon. It can also lead
to failed emission tests and a rough idle.

 Dirty Fuel Injectors: Fuel injectors spray fuel into the cylinders where it is mixed with air and ignited.
Over time the fuel injector system can become clogged. This can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency as well
as slow acceleration and the car not having enough power. If caught early, simply cleaning the injectors
can solve the problem. As it progresses, the injectors may have to be replaced.
 Bad or Dirty Spark Plugs: Spark plugs ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber. If they are dirty or
working incorrectly, it can cause the engine to misfire, leading to poor engine performance. This can lead
to a lack of power as well as a big decline in fuel efficiency.

 Malfunctioning Mass Airflow Sensor: A mass airflow sensor detects the amount of air coming into the
fuel injection system. It delivers that information to the vehicle's computer, which crunches the numbers
and then delivers the proper amount of fuel to the air in the vehicle. A dirty airflow sensor will degrade
fuel efficiently and lead to a rough idle and even stalling as the problem progresses.

 Misaligned Tires: Tires that are low or out of alignment can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency. Checking
the tire pressure and have the alignment checked on regular basis can help prevent this problem.

 Defective Fuel Pump: Fuel delivery issues can drastically affect fuel efficiency. The fuel pump pulls fuel
from the gas tank to the fuel injectors. The fuel pump can become clogged or malfunction. A bad fuel
pump can lead to a rough running engine because it is not getting enough fuel. This will lead to a decline
in gas mileage. If this issue is not addressed it will lead to a rough, idle, sputtering and stalling.

 Clogged Fuel Filter: A clogged fuel filter will also cause problems with gas mileage. The fuel filter
screens out contaminants in the fuel, and over time it will become clogged. Fuel filters need to be
replaced periodically.

 Stuck Brake Caliper: A stuck caliper on a disc brake or a stuck shoe on a drum brake can lead to a
serious decline in gas mileage. In addition, any brake issue can make the vehicle dangerous to drive. If the
decline in efficiency is accompanied by the vehicle pulling to one side, the brake system should be
inspected immediately.