1998 Dodge Stratus 1998 Dodge Stratus losing spark

THEPOWEROFTWO

MEMBER
1998 DODGE STRATUS
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

Please help. Our 1998 Dodge Stratus is losing spark. There is no consistent time when it does this; it can be while idling for a while or while driving. After an inconsistent amount of time the car will restart. A mechanic said it was the fuel pump so we changed that TWICE and then thought it was a problem in the distributor which also turned out to be wrong. Where do we go from here? Thanks for your help!

6 Replies

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Take a look at your crankshaft position sensor. There should be about 8.0 volts going into the sensor, and you should be able to see voltage fluctuation between 0.3 to 5.0 volts when the engine is cranked. It is quite possible that the sensor "loses" connectivity for a moment, and engine will die or will not start if PCM doesn't see the right voltage from this sensor.

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Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 9:15 PM

THEPOWEROFTWO

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4 POSTS

Thanks for your suggestion and help. We took your advice and replaced the crankshaft position sensor, but the problem still exists. Any further advice? Thanks.

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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 AT 4:35 PM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

OK. Let's back up a little bit. When you say that it loses spark, what exactly do you mean? If you mean that the engine (while it is running) shuts down for no particular reason, then we are on the right track.

The only things that can shut down a running engine includes, but not limited to:
- fuel pump
- fuel pressure regulator (in your case, within the fuel pump assembly - which has been replaced)
- fuel filter (you didn't mentioned it, but should have been replaced when the fuel pump was replaced)
- crankshaft sensor
- camshaft sensor (in your case, inside the distributor - which has been replaced)
- ASD (Automatic Shut Down) relay. Sometimes, when the relay goes bad, it will turn itself off thus shutting down the PCM.

I would check the relay. It is inside the power distribution center, under the hood.

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Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 AT 9:31 PM

THEPOWEROFTWO

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4 POSTS

Thanks again for your help. In answer to your question, yes, the car shuts off for no apparant reason while running, then will not restart until it has sat for an extended period of time. All the things you mentioned we had replaced and the problem still exists. We finally took it in to the dealer who is looking as well. I am wondering if it is something in the CPU or the wiring.

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Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 AT 10:56 PM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

I was just reading other forums and stratusphere. Us for similar problem. There was an instance where the PCM wasn't properly grounded (the ground wire was corroded), causing the PCM to lose power to some systems.

I wish I can do more for you.