QuestionQUESTION: I've got a similar problem to the question asked on 6/15, but not with the oil light illuminating, but I do have a 42 code (along with a 52, 32, and 31).
The vehicle is a 1995 Dodge Caravan, 6 cyl, 3.0L engine. It has 223,500 miles (53,500 on engine; 26,700 on newest transmission rebuild and under a lifetime warranty).
Problem began a month ago with a single stall and has gotten worse (never stalled before that in 13 years). It is now stalling several times while hot with stop and go traffic around town (rides fine on long interstate highway trips). Again, check engine light codes displayed are 53, 42, 32, 31. Changed fuel filter a couple of weeks ago, and completed a tune-up in April (new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor). Checked ASD relay with ohmmeter and its within tolerance (70 ohms between pin 85 and 86, low resistance between pins 87 and 30). Replaced EGR value based on heavy rusting and the 32 code (have not rechecked codes after battery disconnect). I checked the ASD fuse (marked "engine", 15 amp) with an ohmmeter. The continuity is good. There is a slight imperfection in the medal, but not so much as it looks like a crack. I can hear the fuel pump run when the ignition key is turned, so unless the fuel pump is getting weak, I don't suspect it to be the problem. Not sure what the problem is the PCM or the cannister (if there is one).
Last Sunday after driving stop and go around town (11 miles total), the van stalled several times with last
showing a slight overheating and no speedometer (good thing I was only a mile from the house). Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.
ANSWER: PPS 70 ohms between 85 and 86 (assuming this is the activation coil of the relay) is too high, I believe. If the coil is truly showing that high a resistance, then I believe the ASD is defective.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the very detailed question. I suspect the ASD relay circuit is why you are having stalling. I would suggest changing the fuse, or at least testing it when you are in the stalled status. As to the relay, if you you could tell me the location of the socket pins that are connected to 30,85,86,87 I can better understand your measurements. My circuit diagrams are for pin sockets 29,30,31,32 which are right, front, left and rear, respectively with reference to the vehicle.
When you are stalled, if you pull the relay and jump from the front to the rear pin you will by-pass the relay. If the engine runs, then either the ASD relay is bad, or the coil "grounding" control circuit from the pcm to the relay, or fuse 16 under the dash which powers the relay coil is "opening". If it doesn't run, with the relay socket jumped, then something powered by the relay is faulty or the "engine" fuse is open at that moment. Bring along a meter so as to be able to check what is going on with voltage supplies to the ASD socket.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The caravan stalled several times yesterday during a test drive (4 miles from home, stop and go driving). Before I took the drive, I replaced the engine fuse (15 amp) under the hood and fuse 16 (10 amp) under the dash. I also replaced the ASD relay with a new one. After the van stalled, I jumper-wired from the front to the rear pins of the ASD and it still stalled. I am getting +12V on pin 30 to ground on the ASD relay all of the time. I am getting +12V on pin 86 of the relay when the ignition is turned on and 0V when off (normal). After the engine cooled, I received codes 12, 53, 42, 32, and 55 (no codes were displayed while hot). As I limped home from the test drive, I had no speedometer reading and also had cool air coming from the dash vent like the a/c was on, however it was off. I also heard clicking coming from the engine compartment, like a switch or sensor was turning on. This same cool air symptom also happened last weekend, but I forgot to mention it in the last posting. Where should I check now, wiring from the ASD to the PCM, or do you suspect the PCM or another component? Thanks.
AnswerHi Tom,
If you have double checked for the 53 code (internal pcm failure), then I would suspect a PCM failure. The egr solenoid and ASD circuits are mediated by the PCM so they may not actually be the source of the stalling. The AC and the clicking may be the compressor clutch operating on and off, again mediated by the PCM. See if you can find a used one, but be sure it is for that year, vehicle, engine, and transmission as those impact the presets programmed into the unit. There are enough 'gremlins' in this situation to suggest a failure of a complex contreller like the PCM. No guarantees of course. You might want to verify when stalled that you have voltage on pins 14 (all the time direct from battery), pin 9 (ignition "on"), and that 11 and 12 are grounded, all at the pcm plug. Shake the harness to check for intermittents. If that passes, then you have to believe the 53 code.
Roland
