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Jim
Grant has been working in the automotive industry for over twenty
years. In addition, Jim is an ASE Master Technician with advanced
L/1 certification. He works as manager and technician in his
family's automotive business in New Hampshire. He writes weekly
automotive consumer columns and is editor of an automotive newsletter
that is circulated throughout North America. |
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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
88
Chrysler Le Baron, Random Stalling Mystery
Q: I have an ongoing problem
with an '88 Chrysler Le Baron. Driving at about 35 mph the car just shuts
down. The car doesn't respond to stepping on the gas; it simply slows
down to a stop. The first few times the car would not stall, but would
not accelerate. Now the car completely stalls. After waiting a few minutes
the car starts up and is fine for a while. I'm giving the car to my daughter,
I would like the mystery solved. Any suggestions you have would be welcome.
A: There
are two problems that we frequently see on your vehicle type. There is
a triggering device in the distributor that is often referred to as a
pickup assembly. This assembly is notorious, when failing, for an intermittent
loss of signal to the vehicle's computer. Without the information from
this assembly the computer will shut down the ignition system and fuel
injection system. As a rule when the pickup assembly is failing, there
will be a Diagnostic Trouble Code in the computer related to that electrical
circuit.
Because
of your vehicle's age the electric fuel pump is also suspect in this stalling
mystery. The characteristics of a fuel pump beginning to fail in your
vehicle type make it very challenging to prove. Testing with a fuel pressure
gauge doesn't provide that definitive answer unless the problem is occurring.
Rarely
will I say replace a part just because of age. But, from past experience
with your vehicle type, if the fuel pump is original make plans to replace
it; they just don't last forever.
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