QuestionI've a 97 Grand Voyager 3.0L that recently stalled out while driving.
Part 1:
A couple weeks ago I replaced the battery, plugs, and wireset, and it work for about a week, then it died a couple times (days apart) while idling (at a stop sign) with the oil light on but no MIL indicator light, but it would always start back up. Finally it stalled while driving... (approximately 30-35 mph), with the oil light and MIL on... codes 12 (battery), 54 (cam position sensor), and 55 (end of codes). At that time I found out that I had a fuel leak and repaired that, then tried snugging up the hoses and snapped the small rigid vacuum line (~.093" ID, ~.153" OD) that goes to a small plastic box behind the PCM and air filter (adjacent to the driver side wheel well). The engine would turn over (starter would turn the flywheel) but the engine wouldn't start.
-Question #1: Is the cam position sensor (distributor) the only potential cause of a 54 code, or could it be a crankshaft sensor or something else? (My van has an OBD II, but I've read that a '54' is supposed to be an OBD (I) code only)
-Question #2: If it is the distributor, would you suggest trying to rebuild it (if possible for a DIY'er), a retail rebuilt, a 'new' aftermarket distributor (since MOPAR doesn't sell the distributor anymore (according to the dealer)), or finding one at a junkyard?
-Question #3: If the vacuum line goes to the cruise control as an assist (which I don't use), can it be plugged or does it have to be replaced?
Part 2:
Since I couldn't repair the van on the side of a busy road, I had it towed to my house. By the time I got to the car, the tow truck operator was already lifting the van... I'm surprised the alarm didn't go off. After getting it home and paying the wrecker I tried to turn it over again, but only the odometer light and the door open beeping came on... no starter, no radio, no dashboard lights (except odometer), no status lights (MIL, oil, etc.), no gauges, and no control over AC/heater (although the blower fan works). I noticed that the oil temp and speedometer gauges 'bump'/jump a little when turning the ignition on, but they don't react normally. I charged the battery (to be sure), checked the battery cables, and checked the fuses (on the PCM and under the dash). The A/C control has an electrical problem... it works fine but the lights blink constantly. There's an aftermarket alarm that was installed by the Ford dealership we bought it from, but I've never had a problem like this since we bought it used in '02 (with 89k on it... we have about 182k on it now); when I hooked up the battery cables, the horn sounded once (sign that the alarm had power) but the light that was installed in the dash that signals that the alarm is armed doesn't blink anymore.
-Question #4: What could be causing the problem with the instrument panel?
-Question #5: Could the problems both have a common cause?
Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Thank you
AnswerHi J,
I would take the 54 code as valid and accept that there is a problem with the cam sensor in the distributor. The only difficulty I have is exactly what type of sensor is in your '97. Up to '95 at least there was only a distributor cam/crank sensor which was photo-optic in design and could be bought as a replacement part. Then my '98 van manual shows that a separate crank sensor was provided and the cam sensor was modified (and may not be replaceable). So take a look in the distributor to see if has a solid disc under the rotor or is open with a cylindrical pulse ring visible. The former has a 4-wire plug, the latter has a 3-wire plug. I don't have a '97 manual so can't be certain which one you have.
After this is sorted out, let's deal with the instrument panel. Does the starter still not work? Do you have any info about the aftermarket alarm as to whether it kills the starter motor or just the spark/fuel? The Chrysler theft system only does the latter, not the former. So we need to know if this is a problem with that after market alarm system, or the basic operation of the starter system itself.
Roland
