Chrysler Repair: 2.5L V-6 Stops Running, chrysler sebring, rubber cap

Question
I have a 2000 Chrysler Sebring that has started acting crazy.  It will occasionally stop running.  After letting it sit for a few minutes (time varies from 1 minute to several minutes) it will start and run fine.  I have had it the shop and they cannot find anything.  The computer does not show any error codes.  What might be the problem?

Answer
Hi Tracy,
It could be one of the two engine rotation sensors is beginning to fail but not so noticeably as to set a fault code in the computer. You may just have to keep watching it till it set a code. You can get free readouts at Autozone parts stores.
It might be the fuel pump is failing. You will notice that it hums for about a second when you first turn the ignition key to the run position. That is normal.  So when it dies, try that same observation: turn the key to run and listen for the hum. If you don't hear the hum, then that is a possibility, but not without further verification that it isn't the relay that has to turn "on" to provide power to the fuel pump. But at least you could tell a mechanic that observation.
Finally, if you had a helper on board when it dies next time, you could remove one of the rubber caps of one of the spark plugs on the side of the engine close to the front of the car. Carry a screwdriver with a plastic handle and insert the shaft of the screwdriver into the cap intil the tip touches the bottom of the cap. Then hold the screwdriver by its insulated handle and the rubber cap as a "package" using both hands. Then position the exposed shaft of the screwdriver 1/4" from the metal part of the engine nearby while (the cylinder head into which the spark plug is screwed) the helper tries to start the engine. You should see a spark jump from the screwdriver shaft to the metal for a full 5 seconds of cranking. If not, then that too would be relevant. But I would try this test now, when the engine runs to make sure you do it correctly. It would say one of the sensors is failing (or possibly the rotor in the distributor is failing). Again something to test out.
I wish I had the one answer for you, but at least you have some ideas. You need to have fuel and spark to run the engine so these are the tests for that.
Roland
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