QuestionQUESTION: Hello Kevin,
My 96 Chrysler Concorde is having some issues. My cruise control light comes on randomly and my car shuts off sometimes when I am at a stop or preparing to stop. I shut the car off and it usually starts right back up, but sometimes I have to wait a few minutes. It is usually when I am already stopped but one day I was driving and the now dreaded Cruise Control light came on. I had my foot on the gas but my car didn't care. It started to slow down. I eventually had to find a place to pull off the road--only to find that my power steering had gone out as well. I shut off the car and tried to start it back up to no avail. But as usual, a few minutes later it started up just fine and I continued to drive home. I don't know if this is at all related but my uncle put a new stereo in my car before this started to happen. Maybe he crossed some wires or something? I took my car to the garage and they found nothing wrong with it, as it was working fine that day. Any thoughts?
Much Appreciated,
Jen
ANSWER: Hi Jennifer,
The problems may be related to the stereo issue, but before concluding that is the cause I suggest that you verify that there are no fault codes related to the engine function stored in its computer control's memory. You can do this with your ignition switch:"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 the process to be sure of an accurate set of counts. Write back and tell me the counts, in the order of appearance.
Most of the things you notice to happen may have to do with the engine stalling, so if we can find out why it stalls it may solve everything.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' consider a 'yes'. Sorry for the delay but I just found your question in the 'pool' to which it had been referred by the other expert.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Roland,
Thank you so much! I think I did this right: I got 1,2,1,1,5,1,5,5 every time. Hopefully that helps figure out what it is...?
Thanks Again,
Jen
AnswerHi Jen
These codes are useful in solving the problem. They are found by grouping the number in pairs in the order of appearance: 12,11,51,55
The 55 just means 'end of code readout', verifying that the request for codes was recognized. The 12 just means that the battery was disconnected recently, in the last 50-100 key on-off cycles. This may have happened when your uncle installed the electronics. Or possibly a battery cable clamp is loose on the battery post, so check that possibility.
The 51 code means that one or the other heated oxygen sensors, which are mounted on the left and right exhaust manifolds is malfunctioning. That would not cause your problems in all likelihood but rather affect fuel economy or driveability (but not stalling). Unfortunately the code doesn't say which one but take a look at both to see if either has a broken wire as those are fragile. If not, you could replace both of them, or have a more detailed code scan that might say which one.
The 11 code is the likely reason for the stalling. It says that the crankshaft position sensor is not getting is signal to the computer, most likely because it is failing, then recovering when it cools off, then failing again, etc. It is located on the passenger side of the engine at the rear where it joins transmission, and sits just above the top of the transmission. It is quick to remove and replace and costs under $100 for the part. So either get your uncle to replace it or the shop, but the shop should have tested for fault codes when you took it to them. Let me know if your uncle wants to know the detail, which is easy to share.
Roland
