Chrysler Town & Country van "shakes / misses" under load?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Gene, Nov 25, 2003.

  1. Gene

    Gene Guest

    A friend has a 1993 Chrysler Town & Country van.
    We thought that the tires were out of alignment, as the van
    would shake as if there was a bad tire, or an alignment
    problem. After having the tires rotated and balanced,
    the problem continued. We thought it could be motor
    mounts, but that was not the problem either. After test driving
    it again, it seems that the van shakes when under a load. That is,
    when you are climbing a hill at 60 MPH & the engine is under a load,
    the car shakes as if it had a bad tire. However, when you are accelerating
    on a down hill, or simply let off the gas, then there is no shaking
    whatsoever.

    Conclusion: the engine must be missing, or similar.

    I am not familiar with this van.
    Would someone please suggest a 1,2 3 solution. That is,
    what do we start replacing, checking, etc. to fix the problem?
    My first thoughts are to change out all filters, injector cleaner,
    new plug wires and plugs.

    THANKS in advance for your suggestions:)
    My email is:

    Gene
     
    Gene, Nov 25, 2003
    #1
  2. Gene

    jdoe Guest

    You could have a bad axle(s), another thing is an over/improperly torqued
    front wheel, or corrosion where the hub and wheel mates causing the front
    wheel(s) to not seat correctly, or the mounting plate on a front rotor could
    be bad.
    Larry
     
    jdoe, Nov 25, 2003
    #2
  3. Gene

    Gene Guest

    Thanks Larry.
    We had the tires & wheels, etc. checked.
    It definitely has something to do with the engine
    "missing" when it is under a load. The engine
    idles & runs up just fine without a load. Put the
    engine under a load, and it "runs rough".

    Gene
     
    Gene, Nov 25, 2003
    #3
  4. Gene

    Bill 2 Guest

    Does the transmission downshift?
     
    Bill 2, Nov 25, 2003
    #4
  5. Gene

    Gene Guest

    No



     
    Gene, Nov 25, 2003
    #5
  6. Gene

    Geoff Guest

    So when you brake-torque it in the driveway it misfires? Or is this only
    something that happens when it's on a roll?

    --Geoff
     
    Geoff, Nov 25, 2003
    #6
  7. This is typical of bad inner CV joint on one of the axles. A good mechanic
    would be able to take it for a test drive and determine which axle was the
    problem (or both!).
     
    David J. Allen, Nov 25, 2003
    #7
  8. Gene

    Bill 2 Guest

    Try moving the gear shift to downshift (OD->D in a 4 speed), and see if it
    continues.
     
    Bill 2, Nov 25, 2003
    #8
  9. Gene

    jdoe Guest

    Does the van shake side to side? Or is it a shudder. If it's side to side
    get a new mechanic that knows FWD vehicles. If it's a shudder it may be
    torque converter shudder. Did your friend have the trans fluid
    flushed/changed recently? If so did they use +3 or +4? If not than they need
    to have it flushed back to +3 or 4 and PRONTO.
    Larry
     
    jdoe, Nov 26, 2003
    #9
  10. Gene

    Lisa Horton Guest

    I had the exact same symptoms, it was a plug wire, but I see you've
    already thought of that.

    Lisa
     
    Lisa Horton, Nov 28, 2003
    #10
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