Chrysler Repair: Chrysler 2.5 V-6 stalling while driving:codes 11/12/51, crank sensor, chrysler sebring


Question
QUESTION: I have a 96 chrysler sebring jxi.  I can drive it for a few miles and then it stalls. (highway & city driving).  After about 20 minutes of sitting, it will start up.  I've replaced the pcv valve, fuel filter, & coolant sensor.  What else could it be?   Thank You

ANSWER: Hi John,
I would suspect that one of the two ignition timing sensors, the cam and crank sensors, it failing when it warms up then recovers after cooling down. Try the ignition key to get a fault code from the engine controller to find out which: "On-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light that remains 'on' to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the flashes before each pause, then repeat to assure an accurate count. Then group the counts in pair to form the 2-digit fault code numbers. an 11 is the crank sensor, a 54 is the cam sensor. The last code will always be 55 which means end of readout. A 12 code means the battery was disconnected from the controller sometime in the recent past which might indicate an electrical intermittent is the cause of your problem, unless you know the battery was disconnected. Let me know what you get and we can go from there. Tell me which body style you have and which engine.
Roland

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QUESTION: O.K., I did the diagnostic you recommended.  I got an 11,12, and a 51.  What next?  I have a 96 sebring convertible, 6 cylinder, 2.5 liter engine.  Thank You very much for the help.   John

Answer
Hi John,
The 11 means the crank sensor and that is what I would change first. It is located below the distributor cap. You remove the speed servo controller from the strut tower for access. Then disconnect its wires, then remove the retainer bolt and pull it out. The new one has a paper spacer which should be in contact with the metal surface inside the engine that is "looks" at, then while holding it contact with that surface tighten the retaining bolt to 105 inch-pounds. Then reattach connector and reinstall servo.
The 51 code speaks of a lean mixture as seen by the oxygen sensor, but lets see what happens after you do the crank sensor. Disconnect the battery for a few minutes to cancel the codes, drive it a bit, and then see what codes come up.
The 12 code comes up often so I wouldn't deal with that possibility other than that you could try jiggling the key in the socket when it stalls just to test for a faulty ignition switch which is the possible cause for a 12, other than a loose battery clamp.
Roland