Chrysler Repair: 92 T&C 3.3L died, no spark/no fuel pump, camshaft position sensor, crankshaft sensor

Question
QUESTION: Hi Roland,

I have spending the last couple of days reading your great suggestions for similar problems to mine but have no been able to find the correct answer.

My 1992 Town and Country AWD 3.3L was running well except on occasion the engine power would die out and then immediately recover. This might not happen for days but then would happen two to three times in one day. Last Friday I was driving about 5 miles an hour when the engine died without any warning and would not start. I noticed an asterisk like symbol appear on my digital dash but cannot find out what it means.

There is no spark, nor does the fuel pump seem to be operating, as I do not hear it and there is no fuel pressure when key is in ON position. (replaced the fuel pump 60 days ago.) I have since replaced the coil pak and the crankshaft sensor.

Could it be the ASD relay or perhaps the vehicle computer? Is there a single electrical issue you are familiar with that will effect spark and the fuel pump?

Thank you for helping so many people out.

Doug

ANSWER: Hi Doug,
I wonder if you tried to get a readout of the engine controller memory to see if it has noticed anything to be out of order?  Use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine, 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 counts. If you only get two groups of flashes with 5 in each (code 55) that indeed means there are no codes. But any additional flash counts before the 5's are relevant. Let me know what they are in the order of appearance and we'll go from there.
My suspicion is that your camshaft position sensor may be failing which often manifests as a short shutdown, the sensor cools and recovers, then it will start and run again until the next episode. That would be a code of five flashes followed by four flashes (code 54). That will cause the ASD to 'open' as a safety precaution as when the engine dies with the ignition 'on' there is a possibility of fire, so the power to the fuel pump relay and the spark coil will be withdrawn. The crank sensor can fail similarly, but you already replaced that. The computer could be flaky, but there are codes for that too. So lets see what you find.
Roland



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Good Morning Roland,

I tried the "Key Dance" and the Check Engine light does not come on, thus no flashes to count.

Also the van has not started since it shut off nearly a week ago. Could it still be the cam sensor? If it is the cam sensor do you know where it is located on the engine?

There is a six prong plug hanging down from the drivers side of the dash is that where I would get the read out of the engine control memory?

Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Doug,
If you have a conventional cluster then there is a bulb to replace for that check engine warning which would allow you to read out the codes. With a digital cluster I am not sure if there is anything to repair that if it doesn't ever light up (it should with the key in the run position but the engine not running).
The cam sensor is located on the right side of the engine (the side toward the cabin) just adjacent to the right engine mount. It is positioned to look at the cam sprocket via a hole in the right side of the chain case cover. It states that the engine mount bracket has to be removed for access. It has an O-ring which may make it hard to pull out, but tap gently to loosen it up. Lube the O-ring with oil when inserting a new one. Push it down until the tip (with paper spacer still attached) touches the sprocket.
It certainly could be the cam sensor but it would be much wiser to try for a code readout unless you don't mind spending the money for the part without knowing whether it will solve the problem. It certainly can quit after going through some intermittent shutdowns as you described. The diagnostic plug you mentioned under the dash (if blue) is for reading out the transmission controller memory and the other digital devices around the body but not for the engine. That plug is in the engine compartment, is black in color, and located in front of the left side strut tower. It has a different pin arrangement than the one under the dash. That is where a code reader (OBD I generation) would tell you the fault codes if you can't get a check engine light to work.
I will be interested to learn what you find.
Roland