Sputters when warm any rpm not consistantly

jrbr · #1 10-26-2006, 04:54 PM

93' Voyageur. Started about a week ago, usually under acceleration. Speedo jumps all over the place and tac drops seconds after other gauges don't move, feels like an instant of no fuel and does it until you let off the gas. Tried the Throttle body sensor. Occasionally at low rpm it will even stall. Totally random, you can go two days without an incident. That may be due to shorter trips in the vehicle. I notice the more you drive the more likely to act up and never on a cold engine. Any ideas would be appreciated,thanx.

RIP · #2 10-27-2006, 12:29 AM

I would jump on it and say it's the fuel pump except for your squirrely gauges. Can you give any more specifics on them? Which engine?

Other possibility is a vacuum leak. Check all the vacuum lines for cracks loose comnnections. Did you change the TPS because it was showing a code or just as the most likely part? If it's the later, have you checked for fault codes?

jrbr · #3 10-27-2006, 08:40 AM

There are no codes and yes I tried the TPS as a most likely solution. My wording was poor on the gauges. The Speedometer goes all over the place as it starts to buck/sputter. As this happens the rpm drops because it is trying to stall. But the speedo allways acts up first, sometimes before you even hear or feel the sputter. If I release the gas and re-accelerate the problem is gone for no specific amount of time. If you are at idle when it happens it usually stalls. The other four gauges don't fluctuate at all. It is a 3.3L with 175 000 miles on it. I've owned it for half the miles and it has been very well maintained under me. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Will try vacuun leaks particularly the electric EGR transducer according to one thread I read last night. Thanks for the reply.

RIP · #4 10-27-2006, 01:07 PM

Now that it's narrowed to the speedometer you might want to look into the Vehicle Speed Sensors. There's two (input and output) and I'm not sure which is which but I'm guessing the output sensor would be your problem. At least that's what it's called on a 96-98. This sensor is the sending unit for your speedometer and at the same time sends info to the Powertrain Control Module to adjust timing. It's the only thing I see in common to your two problems. Not sure these terms correlate to a 93. Considering the 3.3 ltr uses a distributorless ignition, I'm betting they do. Check with your dealer to clear up the details.

They are cheap at around $25 each so if you change both your not killing your wallet.

jrbr · #5 10-28-2006, 04:21 PM

Thanks RIP, give me a few days to get on that and I'll let you know how it worked out.

jrbr · #6 10-31-2006, 09:25 PM

Well maybe someone can help me a little more here. The hanes manual shows the location, the parts store has the Vehicle Speed Sensor for my year/make/model. But it is definately not there. I went to the auto wrecker and took the part off a '94, right where the manual shows it to be (passenger side of transaxle on top of the extension). Same part the store was trying to sell me for my '93. I've been under there twice for way longer than necassary to make sure I'm not an idiot. No luck. Any other ideas or an explanation for this? I'd appreciate anything someone could suggest. Thanks

RIP · #7 10-31-2006, 11:18 PM

I'm at a loss. I've searched all over the net and several forums and can't find the location on a 93 Voyager. Recommend you send a private message to 1thunder. He will probably know. While your at it ask him if he thinks it's a sensor. Short of that there's always.....the dealer.

jrbr · #8 11-01-2006, 01:42 PM

Well RIP, looks like you were right the first time. Called the dealer and explained my dilemma. The three speed uses the Vehicle Speed Sensor and the four speed (three speed with overdrive) uses an output sensor. The location on mine(3speedOD) is one of three sensors located on the top of the transaxl housing. I'll figure out which one and give it a try. Thanks for looking for me though, let ya know how it went.

jrbr · #9 11-05-2006, 09:14 AM

Well, thanks for the solid advice there RIP. Changed the vehicle output speed sensor (VOSS) two days ago and so far so good. It was located on the front of the transaxl under the battery, the input sensor is on the left under the trans fluid cooler lines and the output is about 8" to the right of the input. It was only around $25 US and easily accessible. A 1" socket was all that was required for the repair. Thanks again.

RIP · #10 11-05-2006, 02:31 PM

Glad to hear it's looking good. To be honest I've never had to mess with these sensors but... I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night....sorry, had to. This is all info I've gleaned off this forum over the past 2.5 years plus out of the manuals I have on hand. Hope you have a mild winter up there. Cheers!

Thanks for posting the fix and the details that got you there. I'm sure there's going to be plenty out there who can use this info.

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