QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1996 Chrysler Intrepid, 3.3V6, about 220,000 km, which stalls without warning while I'm driving at highway speeds or less. There are no spluttering noises or dashboard trouble lights. It can occur after one or 50 km of leaving home, regardless of weather conditions.
The engine restarts after a few minutes ~ and we can keep going for a few days until we have another "episode".
This has been a sporadic problem for a few months, but is more frequent during the past two weeks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Hi Susan,
This sounds like one of the two engine position sensors is breaking down, and then recovering as it cools off. Very common. Use you ignition key to find out which:"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 see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to be sure of an accurate set of flash counts. The last two sets are always 5 in each. Tell me the other counts in the order of appearance and we'll know which sensor needs to be replaced.
Roland
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QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt response, Roland.
The count is as follows: 1,2,5,4,1,1,5,5
ANSWER: Interestingly, the 11 and 54 codes are about both the cam and the crank sensors not putting out signals recently. So maybe both have to be changed out. The 12 is not relevant unless you haven't disconnected the battery recently, otherwise it whould be. 55 means end of readout.
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QUESTION: Is there a right (or wrong) way to replace the cam and crank sensors? We have located them ((Crank: passenger side, back of engine by transmission huosing) (Cam: Front of engine, left and below temperature sensor))
Yes, my husband disconnected the battery last week to clean the posts.
Thanks again
AnswerHi Susan,
The only 'trick' is to make certain that the tip of each sensor comes in contact with the hidden surface which it is designed to 'sense'. The cam sensor has an o-ring that you may want to lube to help reinstall the sensor. The cam sensor has a paper spacer on its tip to allow you to seat it directly on the surface and you hold it there while tightening the retaining screw to keep it there (about 8 ft-lbs of torque). The same ideas apply to the crank sensor. The spacers wear away as the rotating surfaces rub on the spacers, and that leave the sensor tips very close to but not in contact with the surfaces.
Roland
