Shuts off while driving

Tiny
STHISSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 DODGE INTREPID
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,600 MILES
I have 94 Intrepid. It has an intermittent problem where it stalls / shuts off without ryme or reason. It happens both at freeway and low speeds. There is no consistency to when it happens. It could happen after a couple of miles, after 100 plus, or not at all for days. When it does happen, after coasting to a stop I turn the key off wait a minute or so and the car will start back up. Sometimes it "Chugs" on start-up other times it starts as normal. The problem may or may not re-occur during the trip. There are no codes thrown, to date I have replaced the coil pack, and fuel pump assembly. Do you have any suggestions before I spend a ton of money on a new computer? What other components are involved in the ignition circuit between the coil pack and computer.

Thanks in advance,
Scott
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
It's never a good idea to hunt for a problem by replacing parts and hoping to hit the jack pot. It never works and only costs you a ton of money you might as well have just spent on a mechanic.

Now, when's the last time you changed spark plugs/wires, and your fuel/air filters? If it's been way past the recommended service intervals, begin with this. Because it's hard to get accurate testing results for an engine not in proper tune.

Also, when you replaced the fuel pump, did you replace the filter also? And what about checking for water/debris in the fuel system?

As for you ignition, if your car is running, there's nothing you need to worry about between the computer and coil pack. And finally, if your car is only stalling once in awhile, and there's no codes, your computer is probably fine.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STHISSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the reply Ernest. The car has been the mechanic several times and they weren't able to duplicate the problem. Each time we'd pick the car up the problem would occur. The fuel pump / filter was replaced at the mechanics suggestion because of "strange / inconsistent" readings from his test. The fuel tank has been cleaned / dried / and had fresh gas in it. Plugs and wires were done mid last year. After researching the issue online i've found that several people have had the same problem and its turned out to be the coil pack, crank position sensor, cam position sensor, ignition switch or computer. I've replaced all but the ignition switch and computer and the problem still exists. The only real incosistency I can find is the reference voltage for the Cam Position Sensor coming from the computer. My manual says both it and the crank sensor should have a reference voltage of 8 vdc. My cam sensor only has 3.9 vdc.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Scott
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
Yes, your computer should definitely send out a reference voltage. I don't have ready access to what your voltage should be (There's a min-max range), but if your says 8V, then 3.9 is certainly waaay out of range. (Most computers send out a reference voltage of 5V)

But keep in mind, this is most often a bad connection at the sensor or corroded wires in your wiring harness. (The factory recommends thoroughly cleaning the sensor face and connectors when installing a crank/cam sensor)

The computers are usually the last in the line to go bad. So have your mechanic use his lab-scope or multi-meter to trace your complete circuit and check the sensors face for dirt, etc. Before suspecting the computer.

Certified Technicians are trained to start with the simple and move to the complicated. Because it saves the customer time and money.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STHISSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Since I've replaced the sensors I know the face and connections are clean / good at that end. I was surprised that it called for an 8v reference too. I'm used to most things having a 3-5v range. I couldn't find anything in the book that gave a +/- ranged from the 8. Since I'm a trained Harley Tech, i'm pulling out my meter and back tracing the wiring and connections hoping to find the issue. Since the car has been in and out of the shop and they cant find it i'm gonna take it on. Thats a little easier than paying them 90.00 an hour for troubleshooting hoping they find something.

Scott
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUCKWVP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 DODGE INTREPID
  • V12
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,800 MILES
Hi. This car recently started stalling on an intermittent basis. Most of the time it occurs while doing a quick slow down or stop, but it can happen at normal highway speeds. I have seen the cruise control indicator light come on for a few quick seconds sometimes when this happens. The cruise control does not work. Once the car stalls, most of the time it has to sit a few minutes before it will start again. But, there have been a few instances where it started again immediately. We are the original owners of the car and it has been maintained very well and is in otherwise excellent condition for its age. Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
The first thing that I would check on this vehicle for the symptom is the Automatic Shut Down relay and the fuel pump relay. They are both located under the hood, inside the power distribution center (fuse box)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOCHERTB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 DODGE INTREPID
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,000 MILES
Hello Guys;
My son has had this car for about a year. It orginally was fixed for electrical problems. When he drives it sometimes it will stall and jerk, the check engine light and crusie light will pop on. He changed the spark plugs and wires and the coil pack, also the fuel pump and fuel filter. We would really appreciate any help you have to offer.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I can give you a possible area to look at but we still need the code/s the computer has something we don't know and we need that to establish a diagnosis. OBD1 code/s

Check the idle air control valve/throttle position sensor and the EGR then report back your findings is to what you performed and the results in these areas.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ESKIHO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 DODGE INTREPID
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
OK so my car is a 94 intrepid. 160k miles strong. About a month ago, I was driving to work, and my car shut off while I was driving. I pulled it off the road, tried to start it. It wouldnt do anything. I waited about 5 minutes, tried again, bam, it fired up. It was like wtf, but I drove it for 2 weeks, and it happend again, on the way to work. It wouldnt crank again, had to wait about 20 min this time. And anyway, its happening alot more often now. And the waiting period is even longer now, sometimes a whole day. SO I had a mechanic friend look at it. He said the coil pack wasnt being grounded. So he made a wire that went from the black wire (going into the coil pack) to the battery, and it fired up right away. He would place it on there to just start the car. Anyhow. It worked a few times, but now, it doesnt work. What do you think it could be? Oh, and obviously no spark when its not cranking
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Start by checking your Automatic Shut Down relay. Power to the ignition comes from this relay.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
The relay is inside the power distribution box, under the hood forward of left strut tower.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links