Engine shuts off while driving?

Tiny
BLACKEAGLE CRAZYBULL
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 2.4L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 280 MILES
It keeps shutting off on when I'm driving it, but it shut off all by itself then I have to wait until thirty to forty five minutes. Then start again sometimes drives for awhile then shuts off again.
Thursday, December 13th, 2018 AT 4:13 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2carpros.com.

A crank no start can be caused by many things, however, you already identified there is no spark. My first suspect is the crankshaft position sensor. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Now, the easiest way for me to identify a bad crank sensor is by checking for an RPM signal with a live data scanner when the engine is cranking. If you don't have one, see if a parts stores will lend or rent one to you. Here is a quick video that shows how one is used:

https://youtu.be/b2IJGfImVvw

If you determine the sensor is bad, here is a link that shows in general how one is replaced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle for sensor replacement.

______________________________________

PROCEDURES
REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise vehicle and support.

Fig. 8 Crankshaft Sensor 2.4L See pic 1

3. Disconnect the electrical connector.
4. Remove crankshaft sensor bolt.
5. Remove the crankshaft sensor.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the crankshaft sensor.
2. Install crankshaft sensor bolt and tighten.
3. Connect the electrical connector.
4. Lower vehicle.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.

___________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, December 13th, 2018 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
AIMEEMECHELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 0.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,957 MILES
Car does start but if I don’t push the gas quick enough it shuts off and when it goes to idle it will for just a second and shuts off. Blows white smoke out the rear at times that smells horrible.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

The sound I hear seems to be a loose catalytic converter. What happens is the insides come loose and then rattle like that. What I need you to do is take a rubber mallet and tap on the exhaust system to see if you can recreate the sound.

Take a look through this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

I attached a picture that shows where the converter is located. I have a feeling internally it has come apart and is causing the noise and restriction of air flow. Thus, the poor running conditions and the smell you get.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AIMEEMECHELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay, so the muffler melted the back bumper and when idling sounds like a knock and keeps lien.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AIMEEMECHELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Dien sorry not lien.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AIMEEMECHELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Also puddle of black fluid under car.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

Does the black fluid evaporate if you let it sit? Does is seem like oil? Where is is aprox under the vehicle?

Also, have you tried following the link for checking a converter?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GOATHEAD78
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,241 MILES
I just replaced my spark plugs, prior to that car would not start, it starts now but dies as soon as I take my foot off the gas. Before that itwould start but gas had to be pumped a few times first.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Hi, it should not be stalling, not with idle speed and ignitions computer controlled, I am sure there may be a problem that may show up with a diagnostic scan, does your check engine light come on? Your van uses a idle speed motor(IAC). It should be controlling air pressure, maybe bad or dirty. Ok
It is mounted on the throttle body.
You can understand fuel injection trouble better by reading 'how it works'
To scan your engine computer you'll need a scan tool, they sell a nice couple of them at the store, they are updatable, and you'll have em for life, a fuel pressure tester and scan tool can save you thousands of dollars in just a couple of uses. K
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDGIRL5252
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,787 MILES
When you start the van it cranks quickly starts then dies when it was running it shook so hard that the tires were sqeeling, I felt as if a had whiplash afterwards, we just put in a feul pump and filter do you know what could be the problem?
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
What do you have for engine size?
Check for spark as you cranking
do you have check engine light on and does it go out when cranking
check for codes
let me know
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDGIRL5252
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
3.3 flex 6 cyl yes it fires just doesn't run for long and when it does finally run it makes the rpms go up in down really quick
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Sounds as if you have a major vacuum leak
when it start and run do you hear a load suction under the hood
and when its running do you have a check engine light on
check for codes
check for vacuum leaks
check ignition switch operation
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDGIRL5252
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It came with a code needs map sensor
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor (3.3L) is located On intake manifold good luck
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDGIRL5252
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
This van is stumping everybody, it's still acting like it did before the map sensor was put in and they checked for vacuum leaks, there were none, but when you get the van running and it gets warm it's okay but not when it's cool they put in a temp sensor and that didn't change it have any suggestions?
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Disconnect all O2 sensors and give it a run
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BHWIRTZFELD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159 MILES
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan ES AWD, 3.8 V6, Stalls when cold start up and during driving?
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
A few questions and I will try to help;

How many miles on the vehicle?
When it stalls when driving, is the vehicle in motion or at a stop?
Does it matter if the vehicle has had a chance to warm up or not when it stalls when driving?

Let me know and I will look for your response and we can figure out the source of the problem.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BHWIRTZFELD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
159,000, it stalls in both cases especially on a cold morning even if its warmed up and alot during backing out of the driveway. I think its a simple problem, but you are the experts. ;-)
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)

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