1996 Plymouth Breeze CRUISE CONTROL

Hello -

Why do you feel the cruise control is the item causing the car to stall? So if I understand you correctly you are driving down the road, cruise control on and then the car just stalls?

If you are driving down the road without the cruise control turned on, the car never just stalls?

And you are talking about while you are driving...40mph, 50mph?

Hello -

If it was shifting okay before, then I would inspect the lines that you hooked up for being plugged or damaged in some way. Are you sure they are in the correct position?

Next, when you installed the IAC, did you make sure it wasn't extended too far before installation? I have attached that below. Then you need to make sure you reset it so the PCM can reset.

INSTALL OR CONNECT

NOTE : Before installing a new idle air control valve, measure the distance that the valve is extended. The measurement should be made from the idle air control valve motor housing to end of the idle air control valve cone. The distance should be no greater than 28 mm (1-1/8 in.). If the idle air control valve cone is extended too far, adjustment is required, otherwise, damage may occur when the idle air control valve is installed. Adjust the idle air control valve by manually compressing the pintle to achieve the correct length.
1. Install the new idle air control O-Ring.
2. Install the idle air control valve in the intake manifold.
3. Install the idle air control valve (2) attaching screws.
"Â Tighten the idle air control valve attaching screws to 3 Nm (27 lb. In.).
4. Install the electrical connector to the idle air control valve.
5. The PCM will reset the idle air control valve whenever the ignition switch is turned ON, then OFF. Turn the ignition switch ON, then OFF.
6. Start the engine and allow the engine to reach operating temperature.

For no shift the info states a possible control valve problem, stuck or binding 1-2 shift valve. But again, if it was working okay before the IAC change, that is where I would start and make sure all is hooked up okay, vacuums and connectors....... Reset the PCM.......

Next, I would do what I could to go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

For stalling it could be the Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor. When defective this does cause stalling....... But this should throw a code.

With the codes we may be able to narrow it down more.

Hello -

I apologize jjpell......... Was working several at the same time..... Did a copy - paste but apparently my reply to you didn't copy but the previous paste did....... So that wasn't much help at all.........

Thank you kevin12881 for your assistance........... Between kevin12881 and I jjpell, we will be sure to see what we can do here.

If the problem has occurred when using and not using the cruise....... We don't feel the cruise is the issue.

When the car shuts off - do the dash lights come on like it ran out of fuel or is the car completely dead... Not dash lights or anything?

When it has done this what is the level of the fuel....... Below half, less, more?

Next, when this happens are you able to restart immediately i.E, going to neutral and just restarting while still moving or do you have to pull over and wait a while?

As kevin12881 asked....... How up to date you are with routine maintenance. Have you changed your air filter, fuel filter and plugs lately?
The temp of the car when this happens..... Is it still normal?
Please check your battery connections for corrosion, damage, loose etc to include where the ground connects to the engine.
Please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

Also if this happens again before you get back with us, we need to figure out if it is electrical or fuel related. Pull a plug wire off of the spark plug and insert something into the end of it and have someone try to start the car and have the metal object really close to a piece of metal on the engine and see if you are getting a good strong popping blue spark. Don't have your hands on any part of the metal! If there is no spark, then it is electrical.

If you are getting good spark then spray some starting fluid in the throttle body and try to start it and see if it tries to start then.

You may need to get a fuel pressure check on the fuel pump to ensure it is putting out okay. We will see.

Please get back with us on the above....... Again, I apologize for the mix up.......
Thanks again kevin12881

Hello -

Thanks for the information back.

I know you had the sensors/codes checked before but have you over the last few days per my request? If not, it is possible that things may have gotten worse to throw a code besides the O2 sensor.

It hasn't quit on you since your post so you haven't been able to check for spark or fuel when it quits..... Is this correct?

I have attached some information for you for you to review.

To me since it starts when you put a load on it - this is usually the Throttle Position Sensor TPS or Mass Air Flow sensor..... But the book says (if applicable) on that one.

The common items between acceleration under load, acceleration and rough idle is your TPS, MAF or your MAP sensor.

What I don't want to get away from though is your fuel pump. You are driving along... The demand on the pump is at one setting - you demand more and it cannot keep up and slowly drops off and then is hard to restart. Have you had your fuel pressure checked yet?

I would get the O2 sensor changed also...........

I have attached some info for you on the various things you have said. You need test equipment for the checks. If you have a digital volt meter I can provide the checks for the MAP and TPS if you would like.

NO START OR HARD START

"Â Ensure battery is fully charged.
"Â Check spark plugs.
"Â Perform spark test.
"Â Check for sufficient fuel and fuel contamination.
"Â Check fuses.
"Â Ensure ignition timing and fuel pressure are correct.
"Â Check fuel injectors.
"Â Check crank and cam sensors (if applicable).
"Â Ensure timing belt or chain has not jumped.
"Â Ensure ignition coil resistance is correct.
"Â Ensure rotor, distributor and plug wires are okay.
"Â Check ignition control unit (if applicable).
"Â Check coolant temperature sensor and connector.
"Â Check TP sensor and connector.
"Â Check airflow sensor.
"Â Check anti-theft system (if applicable).
"Â Check for contaminated fuel.
"Â Check for vacuum leaks.
"Â Ensure fuel pressure is correct.
"Â Check for gasoline in oil.
"Â Check ignition and sensor wires for proper connection.

STARTS BUT STALLS

"Â Check fuel pressure.
"Â Check coolant temperature sensor.
"Â Check ignition and sensor wires for proper connection.
"Â Check for vacuum leaks.
"Â Check TP sensor and connector (if applicable).
"Â Check crank and cam sensors (if applicable).
"Â Check idle air control motor.
"Â Check anti-theft system (if applicable).

HESITATION - ACCELERATION

"Â Check for vacuum leaks.
"Â Check ignition and sensor wires for proper connection.
"Â Check distributor cap for moisture (if applicable).
"Â Check idle air control motor.
"Â Check minimum idle airflow.
"Â Ensure spark plug wires are okay.
"Â Ensure spark plugs are not fouled.
"Â Check EGR valve operation.
"Â Check MAP sensor.
"Â Check TP sensor and connector.
"Â Check ignition and coil circuit.

INSUFFICIENT ENGINE POWER

"Â Check fuel injectors.
"Â Ensure fuel pressure is correct.
"Â Check airflow sensor (if applicable).
"Â Check for air inlet restriction.
"Â Check air temperature sensor (if applicable).
"Â Check for restricted exhaust.
"Â Check coolant temperature sensor.
"Â Check crank and cam sensors (if applicable).
"Â Check TP sensor and connector.
"Â Check ignition and coil circuit.

My suggestion - get the codes checked again as I stated above.

Chang the O2 sensor.

Check the TPS and MAP and the fuel pressure.