Chrysler Repair: Hard start and sometimes quits: 95 3.3L, exhaust gas recirculation valve, air intake hose

Question
95 dodge caravan 3.3l, all week cranks longer and longer to start... now starts and quits..but when it runs, it runs great. I changer the fuel filter...it has 145,ooo miles...changed plugs and wires also... I can hear the fuel pump when the key is turned on..and when I try to restart it each time... I'm lost?????

Answer
Hi Scott,
I would do a couple of things:
First check for fault codes using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light which remains "on" to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc.  Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to verify an accurate count. Then group the numbers in pairs in order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault codes. The last such code is always 55 because it means end of fault code readout. Then write back or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code translation.
Second, check the exhaust gas recirculation valve which you will find at the rear of the engine just under the air intake hose to the throttle body. It is mounted horizontally and has a round top with a vacuum hose attached as well as a valve body bolted into a small pipe, and between the body and the top there is flange inside of which you will see a rod, which is the valve stem. It has a circumferential slot into which the tip of a screwdriver can be inserted so as to move the stem back and forth, against spring pressure which is trying to close the valve. Make sure the stem movesfreely and that it closes to a full stop with the help of the spring. If it appears to be sticking or not closing all the way that could be why you are having trouble starting the engine and keeping it idling. If the valve isn't closed at idle then exhaust gas is returned to the input and dilutes the mixture so it won't fire properly. If it is sticking ajar then take some spray such as WD-40 and apply it to the stem where it enters the valve body and work it back and forth to free up the movement.
Those will likely get you fixed or started toward a fix.
Roland