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In stop and go traffic, engine dies, will restart after forty five to sixty minutes

Tiny
DARRAN MCLAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 173,000 MILES
I have replaced the pick-up under the distributor cap, the MAP sensor, TPS, O2 sensor, new thermostat (190), EGR valve, replaced bad radiator, reset all codes (remove negative battery terminal - key on ten seconds -replace battery cable- codes now 11, 12, 55), when I am stuck in stop and go traffic ( almost everyday on the way home) the engine will die -no restart for forty five to sixty minutes minutes, water temperature gauge in dash is normal. Going down the road at highway speeds the engine purrs great, plenty of power pulling up hills, no need to downshift. Any advice as to what the problem might be would help.
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Friday, December 16th, 2016 AT 7:16 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Stop disconnecting the battery. That is why there is no diagnostic fault codes. They were erased.

The best suspect for this is a failing crankshaft position sensor. They often fail by becoming heat-sensitive. They will work again after cooling down for about an hour. This happens most commonly when you stop a hot engine for just a few minutes, as in when stopping for gas. The heat migrates up to the sensor and causes it to fail.
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Friday, December 16th, 2016 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
DARRAN MCLAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I erased them on purpose once. Thanks I will try that next.
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Friday, December 16th, 2016 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
DARRAN MCLAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The Hayne's book I have for this truck said to remove the oil pressure sensor to gain access to the crank sensor, at least for my truck that was totally unnecessary, just had to move a plug wire, a couple long extensions with allan head socket, it was replaced in 15 minutes --- now for the dreaded stop and go traffic test drive, I will reply as to the results THANKS again for the advice
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Saturday, December 17th, 2016 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
The phrase "other versions similar" in those books have cause a LOT of hair pulling. Chryslers are known for eating O2 sensors and crank sensors. (So are a few other makes as well)
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Saturday, December 17th, 2016 AT 11:37 PM
Tiny
DARRAN MCLAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
In holiday stop & go traffic the engine was good no stalls stopped many times (gas, shopping, etc)drove near 200 miles round trip so far so good, big test is tomorrow afternoon drive home
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Sunday, December 18th, 2016 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
DARRAN MCLAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well finally made it home after 2 hours of hellish traffic, Dakota did not miss a beat -- the trip SHOULD take just shy of 1 hour
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Monday, December 19th, 2016 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
(Visualize me leaning back in my chair, with my thumbs hooked under my suspenders)!

"Yeah, we're great. Go ahead; I know you're thinking it". :)

Now I'd really appreciate it if you'd find me a rust-free '88 Grand Caravan with 15" wheels for sale. Mine is so rusty, the carpet is the only thing holding the front and rear halves together. I want another one that will never see snow or salt.
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Wednesday, December 21st, 2016 AT 9:55 AM

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