Transport dies and won't start for 15 mins

[westb010]

I have a 1992 transport, 3.8 engine, with 160,000 miles. It dies when I am in stop and go traffic, slowing down, or while stopped at a light. Every time it cuts off, it takes 15 minutes for it to start again. It's always 15 minutes. It seems like something is getting hot or tripped and needs time to cool down or reset. When it is knocked off, there is no fire at the spark plug end. I have replaced the fuel pump, the computer, the coil module, and the cam shaft sensor. It still does the same thing and seems to be coming more frequent. Does anyone know what it could be? I have read in the forum about cars cutting out and restarting after a few seconds and the problem was an egr valve. Will this cause the absence of a spark? I have also been told to check the crank shaft position sensor. Oh, and the check engine light does not come on.

Another question- There is a black canister under the hood at the front right. I believe it is referred to as a charcoal filter or an emission control device. The hoses that come off of it run to the top of the right side of the motor. Anyway, when one of the hoses that goes into the top of the device on the top of the canister is disconnected, the van runs ok. When I connect the hose as it should be, the engine idles up and down a few times then the engine chokes off. It will, however, restasrt immediately. I dont feel that the 2 problems are related but I could be wrong. Any help is welcomed and would be great 'cause I am frustrated. Thanks a lot.

[LMP]

Puzzling...!
FOr a start, it just tells where to have an inquisitive look if we have the error codes. Easy to get them:
jump together pins A and B of the diagnostic plug with a paperclip
www.avigex.ca/xport/plug.jpg
Turn key on
read the check engine light
It will flast 12 three times (one then 2 flashes) and then the codes, like 34 is 3 flshes then 4.
Keep a pencil handy
full details here:
www.avigex.ca/xport/readingdiagnostics.jpg
Meaning of codes here:
www.avigex.ca/xport/3800codes.jpg

Even if the CEL is not on, there may be stored codes anyway.
EGR will not kill the sparks.

[westb010]

Thanks for the return. I checked the codes over the weekend and found 2. The codes listed where an oxygen sensor code, which is an old one because I replaced that in October 2004 and never reset it. I can't remember the flash sequence for it. There is another code that flashes 1 then 7 times. In my transport book, there were no codes listed for 1 then seven flashes. Thanks.

[LMP]

If you checked the link above,then you know 17 is spark reference error....that confirms your own findings. www.avigex.ca/xport/dtc17.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/dtc17d.jpg
TO clear past codes from the memory, disconnect the battery (at the post neat the power brake) for a few minutes.

[walter17]

Sounds like it could be the fuel pump in the tank
The next time it stalls turn the key off and then turn it back on to the run position and see if you can hear the fuel pump priming the system.

Sometimes they faill after running for a while and when they cool down they start running again

[westb010]

The problem has been corrected. It was either the cam shaft position sensor or the crankshaft position sensor. I replaced both of them at the same time because they were a pain to get to and I had to access them by pulling the tire and wheel well cover off. I havent had any problems since. Thanks for everyone's help.