Chrysler Repair: 2001 Dodge Caravan stalls, exhaust gas recirculation valve, exhaust gas recirculation

Question
My 2001 van jerks and stalls.  We have replaced the crank sensor, the cam sensor, the computer, and it still wont stay running for any amount of time. The Dodge/Chrysler dealership expects a bad wire, which we have also tried to find. Do you have any ideas?

Answer
Hi Susan,
I wonder if it might be an exhaust gas recirculation valve that is sticking ajar. This is a cause of difficulty in starting/idling and poor performance of the engine. It is not as closely monitored as the electrical part of the engine control system. It is located along a pipe that runs from one of the two exhaust manifolds back to the throttle body on the intake manifold. It has an external stem with a slot that you can move back and forth with the tip of a screwdriver to examine whether it is closing all the way by means of an internal spring. If not, you can lubricate the stem and often free it up so that it closes properly. You didn't mention which engine you have so I can't specifically tell you which manifold and exactly where it is but that is something I would suggest you check out. Other than that, fault codes which presumably the dealer checked would be the best clue. You can often get a free code readout at an Autozone Parts store. Or try the ignition key: on-off-on-off-on and leave on, completomg that action in 5 second or less elapsed time; then watch for the odometer window in the cluster to change to read four-digit number which are the fault codes. Write me back with which engine you have and whether you get any fault codes and we can go from there.
Roland