1999 Plymouth Voyager stalls

KEEPSONGOING

MEMBER
1999 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
65,000 MILES

I have only had the vehicle a short time but it ran good for the first 1000 miles I had it. The first signs of any problems were what seemed like a "hiccup" while driving on the highway. It would feel like I was going over a small bump in the road but there was no bump there. It would happen occasionally. Then it started to stall at stops. At first it would restart with no problems. Now it stalls even on the highway going 65. When I try to restart it it has a strong gas smell and I end up having to put the pedal to the floor to get it started again. At first this would start it right away but now it only occasionally works.I should mention the check engine light is sometimes on and sometimes not. I replaced the coil pack and wires and plugs. The plugs were gas soaked and black as is the tail pipe. The things is when it runs it runs good. Very smooth and plenty of power. No missing or gas smell. Any thoughts?

There is also a new problem with the engine temperature gage. It swings from nothing to running temp and sometimes goes to cold and stays there and the cooling fans are now running when the engine is first started and not even hot.

5 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

What you described is a typical crank sensor failure
located at rear of engine and in the tranny bell housing remove and replace
as for temp check coolant level if OK
remove and replace thermostat

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 8:06 PM

KEEPSONGOING

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So what you are saying is the sensor stops working while running and shuts the engine down. Then begins working again? I thought if its broke. Its broke? Is there anything else that could cause this situation. I started it a few times again yesterday. It started right up each time. But the second time I did notice a slight hunting in the rpm (about 100 rpm). But the next time it was ok

Also the coolant level is fine and how would the thermostat cause the fans to run if the car was just started and is still cold? I would think its a temperature sensor before the thermostat. I just read about a control modual that regulates the speed of the fans. Could that be the problem? The thermostat just doesn't sound like the problem. Let me know what you think. Also just wondering if you do a lot of work on plymouth 3.3 engines

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+1

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 7:47 AM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Yes I'm suggesting that you have a bag sensor
if you like you can change it
it should be easy and cheap to do

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor (3.0L, 3.3L & 3.8L)CKP sensor is located on top of transaxle housing, above flywheel, near corner of rear exhaust manifold.Flywheel contains 3 sets of slots areas near starter ring. Each slot area contains 4 slots in each set. As crankshaft rotates, CKP sensor generates pulses due to slot areas on the flywheel.When solid area on flywheel aligns with bottom of CKP sensor, voltage decreases to less than .3 volt. When slot area on flywheel aligns with bottom of CKP sensor, voltage increases to 5 volts. Switching of the voltage generates pulses. These pulses provide an input signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). PCM uses input signal to determine crankshaft position. PCM uses input signal along with other various input signals for controlling fuel injection synchronization and ignition system.

as for the coolant and the antifreeze i must missed something in your original question can you elaborate on the problem again
if ac on or selector switch is on defrost the fan should come on and stay on so that is not a concern
yes i do work on them all the time

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 5:31 PM

KEEPSONGOING

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the quick reply,
The fan was operating properly even though the temp gage would go batty from time to time. Now it runs with no a/c or defrost on from the second you start the car (still cold engine).

Also is there any other component on the engine that would cause it to stall the way it does. I have already spent too much on this car and getting frustrated as every time I fix one thing, another problem arises.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 AT 7:51 AM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Funny we just had similar problem on a 99 TC this morning drive for 10 to 15 miles stop for 5 to 10 min, no good crank sensor was the problem
as what else could cause your issue if not the crank sensor, mark ASD relay in the relay box and switch with a similar one
if no more stalling replace the marked relay

fan on as engine start have to suspect fan module relay on the front frame rail