Chrysler Repair: 96 chrysler neon: cutting out, cool down recovers, crank sensor, chrysler neon

Question
QUESTION: hi , i have just bought a 1996 neon 2.0 automatic, and it is cutting out after about 20 mins of running time...i have to wait 5 mins before it starts again....after that it cuts out again every few miles...the service light is also on...any ideas what this could be...thanks

ANSWER: Hi Chris,
That is the common behavior of either the cam or crank position sensor when it is failing. Try the ignition key to see which:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on", doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the service light, which remains "on", to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to be sure to get a reproducible set of flash counts. Then group the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault code numbers. The crank sensor fault code is 11, the cam sensor is 54. The last code is always 55 which means 'end of readout'. Let me know which and I can tell you where to find it and what is needed to exchange it out.
Roland

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QUESTION: hi tried that  and not sure if i did it right so i will try again tomorrow whan im awake properly..i counted the plashes and got this....1...2...1..1...4..3...5...5..does that make any sence or am i counting wrong ?.. do i need to take more notice of the size of the gaps as well...thanks

Answer
Hi Chris,
Those are ok; and you are correct that the pauses are longer between the last digit count for a code, and the first digit of the next code.  Ideally the 11 would come before the 12, but the 11 does point toward the crank sensor. Try it again and let me know tomorrow. The 43 code says there have been misfiring of the cylinders detected by the subtle variantions in rpm, which are probably also the result of the crank sensor beginning to fail. You could disconnect the battery for a few minutes, which erases the previous codes, and then drive it again and re-check the codes. The 12 code says the battery voltage was disconnected from the engine controller in the past 50-100 key cycles (which may have antedated your purchase of the car). But if you disconnect the battery again to erase the codes, that 12 will be set again immediately so don't be surprised to see it. It goes away after 50-100 ignition key cycles, unless there is a loose battery connection.
The crank sesnor mounts to the engine block, just behind the alternator and above the oil filter. Simply disconnect the plug on the sensor, remove, and install a new one.
Roland