ASD & FP chattering w/ stall?
What to check next
Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.
Arrange a battery and charging-system assessment and have the relevant relay and module supplies checked during the failure. Document compatibility and programming requirements for the replacement PCM before relying on it.
Guidance references and applicability
2CarPros: Original discussion 1711621 https://2carpros.com/questions/asd-fp-chattering-w-stall Source for reported history and outcome. Contributor suggestions are not independently confirmed diagnoses. Attachments were not verified. Fluke: Automotive multimeter testing https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/blog/digital-multimeters/common-automotive-testing-with-a-multimeter General battery, starting and charging diagnostic background. Vehicle and battery specifications govern the tests.
One easy thing to start with is to charge the battery slowly for a few hours, then see if the symptoms change. Next is to perform a charging system test, but you need a professional load tester for that. You can start the testing yourself with an inexpensive digital voltmeter. Measure the battery voltage, first with the engine off. It should be close to 12.6 volts. If it is closer to 12.2 volts, it is good but discharged. If it's around 11 volts or less, it has a shorted cell and must be replaced.
Next, measure the battery voltage again with the engine running. Now it must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. If it is, that only means it is okay to continue with the professional tests. The least effective way to do that is to remove the alternator for a bench test. The best way is to take the van to a shop with the tester. In addition to the test you just did, they will also test for "full-load output current" and "ripple" voltage. Those are indicators of a failed diode.
Also common at the mileage you listed is worn brushes in the alternator. Those always start out as an intermittent failure to charge, often for just a minute or two, but those periods of failure get longer and longer, often over many months. If the testing is able to be done while the problem is occurring, battery, (system) voltage will stay too low, as in close to 12.6 volts. I can describe tests for worn brushes, but to be valid, that testing has to be done with the engine running, and while the problem is occurring. If testing points to worn brushes, most people replace the alternator, but it is not terribly difficult to replace just the brush assembly. I did that on my '94 Grand Voyager without even removing the alternator from the engine. I can go into more detail with that if it comes to that.
Let me know if you do this test and what you find.
If you don't understand the tests I described, are you able to connect a small portable charger for a few hours? If so, do that, then ask your mechanic to perform the charging system tests. I don't know what the typical charge is for that, but it only takes a few minutes.
If you don't know how to use a digital voltmeter, I can help with that too. Let me know if you have to buy one, then we have an article to get you started, and I can elaborate on it as needed.
Be aware too that if the battery is disconnected or run down too far, the Engine Computer loses its memory. Most of that gets rebuilt as soon as you restart the engine, except for one thing. That is "minimum throttle". Until that is relearned, idle speed will be too low and the engine will stall easily or be hard to start. The fix is extremely easy, but until it occurs, you may need to hold the accelerator pedal down 1/4" to keep the engine running.
Discussion summary
ASD & FP chattering w/ stall?
The van reportedly stalled after running for a little over ten minutes, followed by repeated fuel-pump operation and chattering fuel-pump and ASD relays. A used, unprogrammed PCM produced the same symptoms as the original. The owner did not carry out the proposed electrical testing.
Reported outcome: No electrical test results or successful repair were reported.
Alternator diode or brush failure was suggested, not demonstrated. The thread's universal voltage thresholds and exact output-loss claim are not adopted.
