1994 Eagle Talon stalling

DECALGUY

MEMBER
1994 EAGLE TALON
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
17,000 MILES

Hi, our Talon starts to buck and stall after driving it a few miles. If it sits long enough to cool off, it will run for another 6-7 miles before it does it again. But it has to sit for several hours otherwise it does it again. When it stalls I hear a metallic click under the dash. Sometimes I hear it a second time and it starts to run again. I've been told that it can't be checked out on a computer because it's too old to store codes. I've also been told it's probably one of three things; ignition module, ecm unit, or fuel pump relay. I can't find an exact location, picture or description of the fuel pump relay.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Chrysler fuel pumps rarely quit working while they're running. The syptoms could be caused by a plugged pickup screen attached to the pump, but the stalling will usually occur when you let off the gas, especially at highway speeds. The additional clue is it will run better at higher speeds.

Yes, the computer will store diagnostic fault codes, but in this case, the Check Engine light should have turned on when the problem occurred. If there are no fault codes in memory, suspect a fuel supply problem as that's the only system not monitored by the computer.

Camshaft position sensors and crankshaft position sensors are often heat sensitive and intermitent. They are likely to fail in the manner you described. Since it takes a long time for the car to cool down before it will start again, you have sufficient time to do some diagnostics. When they fail, the engine computer will not know the engine is rotating, (cranking or running), so it will turn off power to the ignition coil, injectors, and fuel pump or pump relay. If there is no spark OR no fuel pressure, trobleshoot that system, but if you find BOTH are missing, suspect the computer is not turning on the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay due to a camshaft or crankshaft position sensor problem.

Caradiodoc