Recently picked up a '93 Eurovan Automatic. It has had a couple of issues since I've owned it. Currently driving across the US after being told the van was mechanically alright.
There are a couple of issues at the moment.
On startup the motor revs up just fine, gets to around 1400rpm as expected and drops from there. Sometimes it manages to keep running after a little inconsistent idling, most of the time it just drops straight back down and stalls. Gentle pressure on the accelerator for a few seconds (~1500 - 2000rpm) while in park will keep it running through this initial instability and then from there it's fine idling. Having the hood of the car popped seems to help a little with this issue too - airflow/vacuum?
After the car is started and idling fine, upon gentle pressure on the accelerator while in D or R the car will sometimes stall. As soon as the rpms are a little higher and the car is running it's fine. Doesn't stall once you're above 1000rpm in 1st gear. This issue is usually less severe when the engine is warmed up.
The accelerator pedal will completely stop responding while driving at highway speeds in warm weather. Pressing the pedal won't affect the rpms or speed at all. After pulling over and waiting for some time the car will be able to drive again. After a short time the same issue will occur. This has only ever been an issue in hot weather. Presumably waiting for the car to cool down temporarily fixes the issue then upon heating up again the accelerator cuts again?
Issue 3 has occurred before. Just after buying the van we had the same issue. 2 separate mechanics have told us it was the coolant temperature sensor allowing the van to overheat. Both mechanics replaced the sensor and a coolant flush/replacement was done too. The van does get quite hot while driving but we have never had the temperature warning light come on (lights up briefly after turning key to on position, never seen it lit outside of this). The temperature gauge doesn't work (neither does the fuel gauge), it sits at 1/4 most of the time (when the fuel gauge sits at empty) and then sometimes rises up to near max. I was told this isn't an issue. Is the temperature warning light connected to the dash gauge? The spark plugs and wires as well as the fuel and air filters have also been replaced recently.
Any help at all would be appreciated tons, especially as mechanics have failed to diagnose the issue and money has been spent.
Thank you!