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2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L - engine keeps dying out - UPDATED


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joannamichelleheath
New User

Mar 23, 2013, 4:29 PM

Post #1 of 4 (4541 views)
2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L - engine keeps dying out - UPDATED Sign In

Note: My original post was not completely accurate. My husband gave me more information, so I'm editing this original post rather than creating a new post, so the great advice given thus far won't be lost. Edited/added parts are in RED.

Hi guys,
I am in desperate need of advice...
Earlier in the week, my timing chain broke -not true, actually the bearings in the water pump went bad, which threw the timing off since the water pump is driven by the timing chain in this car, and my husband (who was once a boat mechanic and thinks this qualifies him as an EVERYTHING mechanic) took the engine apart, replaced the primary timing chain and the water pump, gave the car a full tuneup, replaced spark plugs and all gaskets, etc. After about 13 hours of labor, my car was fixed and drove perfectly for a week actually only 3 days. Then last night while i was doing about 65 mph on the highway, the engine started feeling like it was knocking - kind of hesitating and then lurching forward, but i was at a steady speed. Then the engine light came on and the car just died out. I got it off the exit, and it wouldn't start back up. When my husband arrived, the car started back up, but after driving it half a mile, it died again. Luckily i was able to pull into an Advanced Auto Parts and get it hooked up to the computer, which gave me a code for IGNITION COILS A, B and C. I don't know anything about cars, but my husband decided for whatever reason that the crankshaft positioning sensor was probably bad. Had the car towed to his shop, he replaced the crankshaft sensor, and the engine light went off. The car drove great for about an hour, and now im on the side of the road waiting for AAA once again. After getting on the highway, the engine started shaking "skipping" a bit (sounds like ignition was breaking down), and then stalled out while i was driving. Now its not even turning over Sorry - i dont know mechanic lingo - it actually WAS turning over but it wasnt starting. What could be going on NOW?? We aren't poor, but a mechanic is an expense we cant really deal with right now, since our toddler is having surgery that we had to save for out-of-pocket. Does anyone have any ideas? If absolutely necessary, i will make my husband take it to a REAL mechanic, though this will make him feel bad.

UPDATE: This morning, after sitting overnight, the car starts and runs fine, but cannot be driven, because as soon as it gets to running temperature, the same thing happens - engine starts skipping, ignition sounds like its breaking down and then car stalls and will not restart. After the car cools completely in an hour or more, it will restart, then the same thing, etc. Note that the car isnt overheating or getting above normal temperature at all..i just mean that it dies when getting to normal operating temp. Husband is on his way to get a cam positioning sensor (the crank postioning sensor was replaced yesterday)...he is thinking that there is an electrical componant that fails when the car heats up. Also, he is 100% that the timing is fine, since the car runs fine until "heated".


(This post was edited by joannamichelleheath on Mar 24, 2013, 8:45 AM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 23, 2013, 5:18 PM

Post #2 of 4 (4496 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L - engine keeps dying out Sign In

Which 2.7? Look at the eighth digit of the VIN.

Do you know what the code numbers were?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


joannamichelleheath
New User

Mar 23, 2013, 5:29 PM

Post #3 of 4 (4491 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L - engine keeps dying out Sign In

Um, not sure which...its a V6...does that help? I cant access the VIN because the car was towed to my husband's place of business.
As for the code, they didnt tell me the number - just that it was the code for IGNITION COILS A B and C...my husband told me i shouldve gotten the code number, but i didnt know to.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 23, 2013, 5:51 PM

Post #4 of 4 (4483 views)
Re: 2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L - engine keeps dying out Sign In

The only coil codes are P0351-P0356. Those codes mean the engine computer didn't see the right amount of current when the coils where turned on. When the coils are turned off is when they produce the nice blue/white spark. When the computer doesn't see enough current after turning on a coil, it assumes there is a problem in the primary coil circuit. The computer doesn't know why, it just knows the coil's maximum coil current wasn't achieved. If the coils don't fire, the engine won't start or will stall if the coils stop firing while the engine is running.

Note: It will also set those codes if the cam timing is off. Hubby should make sure that the chain was installed properly and scope the crank and cam sensor signals to be sure they are good and in sync.



That could mean the coils lost power for some reason such as a wiring problem or some sort of ground control issue. Have your hubby visually inspect the coil wiring harness and connectors. Make sure they are in good shape and the connectors are fully seated.

If the engine doesn't start, test for spark. If you don't have spark, make sure the coils have power while cranking the engine and there is coil control from the computer. Which ever is missing will give you some direction.

Tell hubby he should be rubbing your feet for making you stand on the side of the road.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 23, 2013, 6:39 PM)






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