My Acclaim with four cyl, air,cruise, goes dead several times a day. Dead means engine stops, dash gauges and idiot lights and the radio all go dead. The dome light,headlights,heater/AC fan all continue to work but the engine will not crank.
If the key is left in the run position, after several minutes, the radio and dash comes back to life and then the car will crank and start right up!
The local guys said these cars are infamous for burned ignition switch contacts at the connector. I have checked this and it looks like new. The codes are 12 (loss of supply power) and 55 ( end of codes). The radio does not loose the station presets or clock while "blacked out".
This car is like new 26,000 original miles. The only other clue is I sprayed the engine with degreaser and used a garden hose to clean it off. I let it dry for half a day before starting it and its been over a month of running fine, this dead trouble has only been this last week. Any idea's ? I guess I'm loosing 12V somewhere between the battery and the radio fuse but there is a ton of wire and electronics in between. Thanks in advance, shepdog

I know you meant well but NEVER clean your engine with water!! The greasy mess doesn't hurt anything.

You may have a simple battery and or ground problem. If battery is over 4 years it's a possible source and from cleaning there may be a short in your alternator. Start by cleaning up the battery and its cables at both ends and that won't hurt anything and may be you trouble,
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Hi! The local Dodge dealership found the problem! It was a fuseable link. They could flex that section of wire (in the harness) and the problem would come and go. They cut this out and replaced it and covered it with shrink tubing.
Thanks for the assistance guys, Shepdog

Shepdog
Posting the fix is great, doing so you’ve probable help more people then you’ll ever know.
Thanks.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"