Quits running at random times

Tiny
TRACEACE1
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
Car engine will just stop running may drive all over town then just stops and will not start until wants to. Never engine light, no codes. Let sit for awhile usually starts and runs perfect, then at random times it shuts off never know when. No overheating, fans work perfect, no starter fault. Try and try to start finally starts runs perfect until it shuts off again. Help! What components are most likely to fail in order of lowest cost or what has been known to cause this problem? Most of the time I must have car running wife with MS cannot handle heat in Las Vegas when car stops. 911 for her will replace anything to make run help please.
Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 AT 11:50 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Hello,

When the car stops running shut the key off when turn it to the on position which out cranking the engine over to see if you can hear the pump in the tank working. If you can hear the pump but the engine will not start my feeling would be a crankshaft angle sensor failure which do not give a code in most cases. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job and a diagram below to show the location of the sensor for your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, August 24th, 2018 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
TRACEACE1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The first time this failed engine raced up RPMS 3000 + by its self then went down then raced again then shut off and would start for about one hour or so it has not repeated this again only stops running then after awhile it will start again. Then drive to store okay. Just stops at random? Still should I change crank sensor? And can you give me list of components that have been known to cause this problem please? Thank you. James. When is there anyway to be sure this will fix if not I must change anything known to cause so do not get stuck with wife in car She has MS and cannot overheat in Las Vegas! Also how do I pay you when I get fixed for your help? James
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Saturday, August 25th, 2018 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Do not worry about pay, fixing the car is good for the site if we come it a conclusion. With this latest information it sounds more like the PCM is going bad. I would find a used unit and plug it in to see what happens. Here is the location.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, August 25th, 2018 AT 1:27 PM
Tiny
TRACEACE1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Mr Ken thank you for answering me. I had already ordered a PCM from Flagship and received yesterday. Car will not start after repeated tries last night. So before changing crank sensor should I change PCM? I have not installed yet. Traceace
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Sunday, August 26th, 2018 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
I would change the crankshaft position sensor first. Please let me know what happens. Ken
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Monday, August 27th, 2018 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
TRACEACE1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ken sorry have not answered, but before I ever started to talk to you I ordered an ECU from Flagship One. They do not require core and was about $180.00 free ship better price and life warranty. Car would not start no matter what after our last talk so ECU came in mail so I changed it, it came pre- flashed to 2018 specs which from auto zone did not plus AutoZone cost over $300.00 so no brainer. So bottom line car started and seems to be running better than before idles perfect and no stalls so fixed it! Do you think I should order crank position sensor and change as well 89,000 miles 1998 stratus? Thank you for input unknowingly I bought right part in beginning because flagship girl Adia I spoke with put in my mind computer should give code which made sense to me. But of course was ready to except if did not work for fix I just wanted to eliminate all possibilities I had to fix the car. It took a few days to get computer. Thank you again for help you were on right track. I only wish you would have given me list of all parts that could cause the problem, I would have got all parts so could fix I had no transportation and wife with MS. I wanted to get all parts when I found a ride to auto parts. Thank you again, Traceace 1
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Thursday, August 30th, 2018 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
TRACEACE1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you very much helping me think. I was fleet mechanic for years and started racing in Pomona California. I help build a AA Fuel altered up from gas to fuel breaking the record for AA Fueler Altered 256 MPH in Quarter In 1969 Named THE RAT TRAP. My brain not as good as it used to be. TRACEACE1
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Thursday, August 30th, 2018 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Hey I remember that car! I have been to that track many times. :) Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 10:15 AM

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