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Automotive/93 Plymouth Acclaim Intermittent Ignition or Fuel Deliv. Prob.

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Expert: - 11/29/2007


Question
I have a 93 Plymouth Acclaim with the 3.0L V6.  A few years ago it started
sputtering and stopped in the middle of the 401 in Toronto.  After sitting a
while, it restarted, went a few miles, and died.  It did not do this again until
last winter.  It now does it intermittently when it is cold.  Replaced the
Coolant sensor...got better then worse...changed again with same result.  
Changed fuel pump (and tank intake), fuel lines, fuel filter - still does it.  
Changed MAP, CTS (again), plugs, wires, distributor, coil, heated O2 sensor,
engine computer, ASD relay, and run numerous tests on it with no codes
(tested IAC, AIS, etc).  Inspected timing belt and it appears fine, adjusted
timing to book spec with new distributor.  By patting the gas pedal repeatedly
it will run...all the sudden it will catch and be fine for a few days again.  Run
injector cleaner and all that stuff too with no luck.  Any ideas at all?  If it dies
and I disconnect any 1 sensor (example CTS), it will start and run for a bit
before dying...plug it back in and it runs a while again.  REAL frustrating car!

Answer
My only thought is that there likely is an intermittent electrical connection in any one (or more) of a number of places in the ECU control loop.  

That will take some systematic hunting to locate and, from your own comments as to your own thoughts, considerations and approach thus far in attempting to solve the problem, you can definitely appreciate that this type of problem can only be solved with any efficiency by one who is there to check all the variables and try out the possibilities as they present themselves.

My suggestion is that you do NOT spend any more money on parts for the time being, but start digging into the various connectors and sections of harness that make up the system.  Do continuity checks while moving and flexing the cables and handling the connectors themselves.  Clean and relubricate the connectors before reassembling each.

Good luck.  The good outcome will be both the experience that develops with and the satisfaction that comes of finding and solving a problem that others have not solved.

Best regards ... EGK

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Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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