1996 Dodge Van van has died 2 times

Tiny
BROWNBOOT
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE VAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 294,458 MILES
I have a 1996 Dodge, 2500 van, 318 V8, VIN # 2B4HB25Y9TK119186, 294,487 miles. The engine has never been touched other then oil & filter changed every 3000 to 4000 miles Q State 10 W 40 and fram PH8 filter. In the last 2 times I drove the van. First time is was backing out of a parking space turning to the driver side and it died ( outside temp about 90%) but started right back up. This is the first time this has happen ever. The next day I drove about 5 miles, was making a right moving turn and it died again. This time it would not start and in waiting about an hour for a tow truck I tried to restart it ever 10 to 15 minutes. It would turn over but not once did it try to fire it was like it out of gas (had ¾ + tank). It was picked up on flat bed tow (front to the back of the bed) and taken about 5 mile to may home. Unloaded and signed all the paper work, secured the van and the last thing I did was try to start it and it started right up like it always did. I don’t want to drive it because I am afraid it will quit again.
This is what I have done ( see photo below questions) Item # 1 I am not sure what this is, but the line that goes into the front of the carburetor has a short piece of hose and it was cracked bad all the way around in 2 places. I replaced this and checked the fuel pressure on rail test point, not running is was about 45 and running it went up to about 47 to 49. I did a vacuum check at the intake and it was 18 and steady. I had the fuel pump replaced at 234,383 miles.

My cruse control has not worked for some time ihave tried to find the cruse control unit but am not sure. From the photo (where is it) the # 1 goes down below the heater blower motor, 2 to driver gas feed and 3 to the tranny. So is the cruse under the blower motor? The fuse is good and the stop lights all work when I put it on the light in dash comes on, but no control.


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/63614_Where_is_it_1.jpg


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/63614_Questions_13_1.jpg

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 9:54 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
On pic to right #1 purge valve for evap system, #2 is idle speed, #3 is TPS. When it died did check engine light come on before or after the event? How recent are pluge, wires cap and rotor?
Let me know
Thanks for donate
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
BROWNBOOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
No the check engine light did not come and there are no DTC codes when I check it with my OBD2 code reader. It has been about 50,000 miles from the last tune-up, But I drove 450 miles 2 days before this and it has not been missing and runs like it always has and I just started this morning and it starts right up and runs fine. I want to try to drive but don't want to pay to have it towed again. That hose going to the purge valve could not cause it to die and not start again? That hose was little hose was bad. The air cleaner, Oil breather and PVC was all changed about 5,000 miles ago. I change the oil and filter every 3 to 4,000 miles and the oil pressure is in same range it has been for years (upper normal).
Thanks

Larry
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Going with a gut feeling and experience i'd say cam shaft or crank shaft sensor intermittent fault. Is your code reader able to read history? Cam is in dist crank is top bell housing near dist. Cam is known to go out from heat. Let engine cool runs.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 AT 11:56 AM
Tiny
BROWNBOOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I am not sure about my OBD2 reading history, it will read the "Not Run" status of any monitors not yet run or finisherd it testing. I will look into the pick-ups from the cam and crank. But both time this happen it was after a cold (setting al night) start and driveing about 5 or 6 miles. The first time was after being driving the 6 miles and it setting for about an hour and and backing out of a parking space, both time was in the morning when the outside temp was below 90%. I replaced the rotor, dist cap and wires yesterday, I removed the plugs check gap and condition they looked good these are champion double platinum RC12PYP's. I check the fule pessure on ethe rail it was stil the same.
I am going to drive it again today and will see what happens, I have to make a 500 mile trip soon and I am not sure about it.
I was going to take it in to Dodge but when it is running so good when it does run, I dobn't know what they could besides a good repair bill.
Thanks I will let you know if anything changes.

Brownboot
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hey
Hows it going Van behaving? How did trip go?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, July 17th, 2009 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
BROWNBOOT
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I have put over 450 miles on and it has not quit. I am on my 2nd tank of gas, I am starting to trust it again, but not sure what cause it to quit. But as the saying goes"If it is working don't fix it" so time will tell. Thank you for your input.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, July 17th, 2009 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Your right let it ride. Machinery can be quite fickle we should have stuck with horses.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, July 17th, 2009 AT 4:35 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links