Ok. Four weeks plus ago my van started having stalling issues following the "Hurricane Katrina" rain up here in NNY. Was fine in reverse, but as soon as I put it in drive the van started to shudder and spudder and finally stalled out as I slowed to a stop. CEL came on showing P0340. The local Ford Dealership said the synchronizer was shorting out the cam sensor. $455 to replace both parts.
So the following week "Hurricane Ophelia" rain comes through. Same exact problems. Started sputtering when I put it in drive then stalled out as I slowed to a stop. Left it where it was at, walked home w/ 3 children in tote. Returned an hour and a half later after researching this forum. Started up and drove away with no symptoms. Went to Autozone thinking I would buy a DPFE Sensor and replace it myself, however, the CEL code came up the same. P0340. The Autozone guy noticed that my Dealership receipt stated in the parts listing that a new crank sensor was put in.
Took it back to the Dealership, they said it was a typo, that they actually replaced the cam sensor, but now it was throwing codes... P0402, P0171, P0174. Left that day with a new DPFE sensor. They told me there was no way Autozone pulled the P0340 code. Although my neighbor, myself, and the Autozone guy all saw it with our own eyes, surely we must be freaks.
Following week, woke up with rain. Tried to leave for work. Same vehicle symptoms. Shuddering when shifted into drive, stalling, CEL code pulled by autozone, P0340. Took it back to dealership, pulled same code P0340. Had the mechanic drive it with me in the passenger seat. Fortunately, had the same issues while he drove it. He said cells 1 and 3 were miss firing so he replaced the coil. Supposedly wet tested it, and I was "Golden"... until today.
Another rainy morning, same as before. Shuddering, stalling, never made it out of my driveway. I let it sit and idle for about 45 minutes then was able to drive again to Autozone, CEL : P0340. He thought maybe the cam sensor they installed was faulty. Took it again to the dealership, sat there for 3 hours, same code. They say they tested the sensor and wiring. Everything was fine. He is now 100% certain that I have a faulty PCM circuit board. ( I think, I was told the main circuit board, it started with a P. I was still choking on the $386 I'm supposed to fork over for the cost of this thing!) Whatever it is, the wiring all leads back to this thing.
So help me out here people. Unfortunately, I am not even close to the DIY mechanic. The most I've done to my van is take the front tire off and plug it. I'm learning as I go with this. My van is at 93k, and although I'd love to run out and buy a new vehicle, that's not really the best option for me. Prior to this latest fiasco, I replaced a tie rod, wheel bearings, and front rotors. I've sunk quite a few bucks into this van, and would like to get some of that investment back out of it.
It really seems like I'm getting "shafted" (pardon the pun) by this dealership. But as I'm sure everyone can appreciate, it's hard to function with a vehicle that is unreliable. From what I've read on this forum, I question the EGR valve and vaccuum lines. The Autozone guy thought it would be good to check the spark plug wires and get a tune-up. Where should I go from here! HELP!!!!!!!
10-11-2005, 02:13 PM
2000 WS Stalling w/Rainy Weather
