Unpredictable stalling - 97 Caravan 2.4L

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corky - 07 Jul 2004 03:55 GMT

I have a 1997 2.4L Caravan w/ 90000 miles. It runs excellent, except
it will stall daily for no apparent reason. It started happening this
spring. So far, I've replaced the ASD relay, fuel pump and filter. I
am not sure where to look next.

After it happened, I got codes
P0320 (no crank reference at PCM) and
P1389 (no ASD relay voltage at PCM)

I've seen a lot of problems from people where they stall at idle and
it ends up being deposits in the throttle body, but I suspect this
isn't my case. Sometimes it won't start first thing in the morning.
Sometimes it will stall while I'm accelerating or cruising down the
highway, and sometimes when it's idling. Sometimes it will start right
back up immediately, and sometimes it takes up to 30 or 40 minutes.
It's really got me shaking my head. I thought maybe it was something
wacky in the PCM, but I had it running while I shook the PCM and
jiggled the connections, and nothing happened.

Anyone ever see anything like this? ANy advice for a weekend mechanic?

Thanks,

Corky

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corky - 10 Jul 2004 03:38 GMT

FYI, it ended up being the crank position sensor.

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Joe - 17 Jul 2004 04:12 GMT

I feel your frustration. My '99 Cirrus does the same.

Today It failed and wouldn't start for 1.5 hours. I had enough and
had AAA tow it to the dealer.

$80 to diagnose the culprit as the crankshaft sensor. $300 to fix it.
The part is about $250 (from the dealer).

for another $80 I'm getting a new serpentine belt and idler pulley and
alternator belt. All bad, the pulley sounds like it's gonna fall out.

I'ts supposed to be finished Monday. I'll let you know how it works.

>I have a 1997 2.4L Caravan w/ 90000 miles. It runs excellent, except
>it will stall daily for no apparent reason. It started happening this
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>Corky

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Joe - 24 Jul 2004 05:24 GMT

It's fixed!

Silent as a mouse, and runs forever. I'm gonna keep it.

>I feel your frustration. My '99 Cirrus does the same.
>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>>
>>Corky

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Dan Fraser - 24 Jul 2004 03:42 GMT

My 88 Aries did this too. The dealer replaced the crankshaft sensor, O2
sensor, DSS sensor, MAP Sensor, Idle Motor and Engine Controller and it
still did not stop stalling.

Finally I put a new injector into the throttle body myself and its been fine
ever since. $60.00 at AutoZone.

And the dealer F'd up the cruise control, which they won't fix because they
say they have no proof it worked fine before. However, they did warranty the
ECM in case that was it (it wasn't).

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Bill - 26 Jul 2004 17:52 GMT

If you replaced the crank sensor you should also change the cam
sensor. I had the same problem on my Intrepid and replaced both for
$70.00 at Autozone and about 1/2 of my time.

> My 88 Aries did this too. The dealer replaced the crankshaft sensor, O2
> sensor, DSS sensor, MAP Sensor, Idle Motor and Engine Controller and it
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> say they have no proof it worked fine before. However, they did warranty the
> ECM in case that was it (it wasn't).

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