88 Caravan - Dies And won't start for 2or3 hours. HELP!!!

[Otakon1983]

Hi all, maybe someone has an idea on what's going on here. i bought this caravan about a month ago, it's in really good shape, ( for $100.00 . The fuel pump is brand new, the filter is brand new, and yes I did have the tank cleaned professionally. The fuel pump was not to fix this problem. What I have installed is a new distributor, new ECM, and new wires. When the van dies it loses all spark. i'm puzzled, could it be the coil? Some light on the situation would be much appreciated. Thanks to all in advance! Oh BTW It is a 3.0 V6. thanks.

[RIP]

This sounds like it could be a bad coil. Have you tested it with a meter when in the fail mode ie, when hot? Not sure which ignition system you have. Find yours here in the right column for testing procedures: http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm

[Otakon1983]

thanks, I'm going to try that today. I'll let everyone know.

[Otakon1983]

Well, that didn't do it, and now it wont run at all. It is still a firing problem but I'm not sure what to do please HELP!!!!

[smurfcorpse]

This may not be the answer but..... Years ago I had a K car 2.2 TBI. One day it did not fire. I tried everything. Some one told me to check something I believe was called a map (Manifold Air Pressure I think) sensor. It had a plug and a vacuum hose. I was told they can crack. I replaced the sensor and the car started right up. I don't know if this is your problem or not. I was told later you can test for this by pulling the vacuum hose and blocking it with a pencil. The car should start but not run well. I never tried this as I just replaced it.

Another thing to look at.....
I had a car once that had this symptom, driving along and the car would feel like you have just turned of the key. Sometimes would start in a few minutes or take an hour. The part that was bad was called two different things. A stater unit or a pick up. It is a coil that was under the distributer. I think there was a magnet that spun in the middle. The spinning magnet told the computer when to fire. As mine got hot the coil would break down and not send the signal to my cars computer. Then my plugs would not fire. I tested this by spraying the coil with contact cleaner to cool it and the car started right up. The problem is I can't remember if that was my K car or a Ford Escort. I'm pretty sure it was the K car but it was long ago. There may be the same type parts in your car but this is all a guess.

[Otakon1983]

Thanks for the tip, I'll go out and check em out....It couldn't hurt, lol. You are correct about the pickup coil being in the distributor, but my distributor has already been replaced. I'll give it a try like I said and let everyone know.

Thanks Again.

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If it jams force it, If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.

[caravandrvr]

Crank or cam position sensor maybe?