QuestionSir
I have been trying to order an (IAT) Intake Air Temperature Sensor for my 1997 Chrysler Sebring Coupe with an 2.5L N Engine and have been sent wrong parts twice by different vendors. Autozone had sent part SU338 and Discount Auto Parts sent AX40 for the same vehicle. Both are identical and will not mate with my wiring harness. Discount Auto called a chrysler dealership and was informed that I needed part AX49 for the VIN # I provided. Yet on the Website, AX49 is advertised for the convertible. I will be sending both parts back for refunds, but wanted to know your take on this issue. Could have Chryler built a 97 Chrysler, and used a few 96 parts? I talked to Standard Motor Products and they said there are diffent curves in sensors and the correct one must be used. AUTOZONE reccomended I purchase the 96 model IAT for the same N engine. It was a different part number and he thought it may work. Meanwhile my IAT in current use has a loose head and I think that might be causing some of the symptoms. I have changed all sensors except IAT and O2, the EGR valve, and solenoid. Vehicle shuts down after 15 minutes or so of driving. It will not start back up until after 5 or so minutes. Then again it wants to start choking and then cut off once again. Other than that it has normal power and runs OK. I also noticed moisture accumulate inside the old EGR valve. Is that normal? Any suggestions you have will be greatly appeciated. PS. I had also replaced the cateletic Converter, but it came off of a Dodge Van with 118,000 miles. They looked very close, minor differences, but if you think that may be the cause of my problem, let me know.
Thank you kindly for your time in what you do.
Ricky
AnswerHi Ricky,
I may not be the most knowledgeable person to give you advice because my concentration has been on the 87-95 model years. For example is the 2.5 N engine a throttle body injected non-turbo 4 cyl. or is it a turbo? In any case, when it comes to replacement parts I would lean toward getting them from a Chrysler dealership if it all practical.
On the symptoms that you described, my first thought would be that you are having a breakdown due to a fualty hall effect sensor, located in the distributor. Shutdown after a few minutes then recovery after a few minutes is exactly what happens when that sensor becomes temperature intolerant. Was that one that you have already changed out? If not, that would be my highest priority. The intake air temp sensor, as I understand its use in the earlier model engines, had to do with improving the restarting the car once the engine was warmed up so I would not expect it to shut down the engine as you described, though I suppose it could cause a too rich or too lean condition that would cause a shutdown.
Finally, have you read out the fault codes that the engine controller stores, once it has detected a problem? Again, I am not certain whether you have the OBD-I code system or the -II system in your car, but in the OBD-I Chrysler cars you use the ignition key to readout the codes: 'off-on-off-on-off-on' with the key (in less than 5 seconds elapsed time), then observe the check engine light to turn on for 2 seconds, and subsequently to begin flashing in groups separated by pauses. Count the number of flashes in each group, the last set of groups would be 5 flashes each. Then pair up the numbers two form two digit numbers, e.g. the last number is always 55 (end of code readout). All the other numbers are codes for faults in the electronic controls. For example the first number, were it to be 11 (one flash-pause-one flash), would corroborate that the hall effect sensor was your problem. You can get the code meanings at www.allpar.com or at http://minimopar/knizefamily.com
Reread the codes to make sure you have them correctly. There may be a different technique for your '97 codes, I haven't found the info on that OBD-II system.
How so you like your Sebring Coupe? I have a '89 LeBaron Coupe and really think it is a great vehicle.
