2001 Dodge Caravan 3.3L Ignition timing issue

2001 DODGE CARAVAN
100,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DEEMAR
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Symptoms: occasional failure to start, random rough running, random stalls, bucking at highway speed, occasionally stalls/runs rough in reverse, OBD monitor shows ignition timing LATE whenever symptoms are present. (Normal idle about 18 deg BTDC, in motion 35-45 BTDC, when symptoms present timing runs from 6 BTDC to 2 AFTER tdc) Sometimes goes a week no trouble, then may be a real problem for a few days, then fine again. Doing it more than a year now, does not seem to be getting any worse (or any better!!). Fuel press 58psi at rail
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:39 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Well, the computer determines the timing. However, it has to receive a signal from the crank sensor to determine when a cylender should fire. Have you checked to make sure all connections are clean and tight? THe fuel pressure is within spec, so that doesn't seem to have an issue. My concern is a crank sensor or the computer itself. Has the check engine light come on for anything other than a random misfire?
Aug 8, 2009 at 8:33 PM
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DEEMAR
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Thanks for the reply!!! This has been driving me nuts for a year and the dealer wants $3000 to replace a lot of parts that don't need to be replaced instead of figuring out which one it is. I'll go out this afternoon and check on the sensor. The computer connections have already been cleaned and checked.

P0172 Fuel mix too rich (maybe caused by unburned fuel?) comes up about 20% of the time that it acts up. Funny, it has never set any of the P0300 group (misfire codes)

Have also seen (rarely) P1784, P1684, P0700 and it sets P0442 and/or P0455 every time you even think about opening the gas cap
Aug 9, 2009 at 11:57 AM
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DEEMAR
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Well, I pulled out the crank sensor to have a look. It seemed to have a number of metal particles stuck to the front of it, but they were dislodged while I handled it trying to get the connector off. Guess what... runs like new now, absolutely no symptoms. Bought a new sensor anyway, and it has an adhesive "spacer" that sticks on the front. I'm not sure about what spacing it does, but it would certainly keep particles from sticking to the business end of the sensor. The original did not have the "spacer". THANK YOU!!!
Aug 13, 2009 at 6:12 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That is great! I'm glad we got it taken care of. It's been a pleasure helping you, and if you have questions in the future, let us know.

Joe
Thanks for using 2carpros.com
Aug 13, 2009 at 9:20 PM