QuestionQUESTION: ask question yesterday about 1994 chrysler concord no start outside cold weather changed temp coolant sensor did not fix problem checked ignition codes they are 3flashes 5flashes 5 flahes
ANSWER: Hi Scot,
The fault codes are not telling us anything to fix. The 3 is actually a 1 + 2 which means sometime in the past 50-100 key cycles the battery supply to the computer was disconnected. If you haven't had the battery 'off' at all then maybe there is a wiring issue to the computer. Let me know if that is the case.
I have another idea, one of my favorites when bad idle/no start rears its ugly head. I would take a look at the exhaust gas recirculation valve which is located behind the engine near the air intake throttle valve. It is mounted in a pipe that runs between passenger side exhaust manifold and the air intake manifold. The valve is mounted horizontally and has a valve stem between its round vacuum actuator top and the body of the valve attached to the pipe, inside the flange that connects the two parts. The stem has a slot into which you can insert the tip of a flat-bladed screwdriver so as to lever the stem back and forth against spring action which should move freely and close tightly. If the stem seems to be sticky so that stem doesn't close all the way by spring action, then you can try spraying some penetrating solvent like WD-40 on the valve stem to freeup its motion.
If the valve is sticking slightly ajar (particularly when cold) it will make for a no start such as you describe because the mixture is too dilute. It is one of the most common causes of this symptom. So see if you can find the valve and check/lubricate the stem. It may be that the interior of the valve is cruddy so that might require that it be unbolted from the pipe where it it attached and cleaned. But chances are good it will only be a sticky stem. Feel free to write back with the results and other questions you might have.
Roland
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QUESTION: checked egr valve lubricated after 2 hours of warming with heater car started let sit overnight car started 1 degree temp let sit another night car almost started twice but did not no car just cranks any other ideas on what to check air charge sensor may be ?
AnswerHi Scott,
The air charge sensor is located in the middle of the air intake tupes of the intake manifold (midline of engine, approx 3rd tube from the front, on the 3.5L engine. It has two wires:black/light blue and black/red. If you take off the plug the resistance of the device should read in the range of 10,000-14,000 ohms when the engine is cold. The resistance drops to around 1,0000 ohms when it is fully warmed up. It is uncertain to me whether the 3.3L engine also has one (depends upon which page of the manual you reference) but it says "rear of manifold" in the wiring diagram for that 3.3L engine. So check that out.
Also, the efficiency to the battery to put out the necessary voltage to generate a spark decreases as the temp drops. Maybe your battery is just too weak at sub-zero temps.
Roland
PS I would appreciate a nomination for "expert of the month". Use the 'thank/rate' tab below where you will find an option to give me a "yes" for that. Also you can tell me of any progress you make on this problem, using the comments section. Thanks
