'91 LeBaron Stalling - A Continuous Problem

[pachelbel101]

Hello. I've had this '91 LeBaron for 4 years and I've been having this problem nearly the whole time. It seems possessed because it'll stall on me continously and then the mechanics never get it to stall, and therefore can't fix it. Here are my observations:

• I'll be driving and it will stall on me. The RPMs drop to zero, my brakes barely work, my steering barely works, and I pretty much coast to a stop.
• Stalls are usually preceeded by sputtering for a few seconds, like it's missing and then RPMs surge and then it misses again, and then it dies.
• It's usually unreponsive to the throttle before it stalls, during the sputtering phase.
• When this first starts happening, it doesn't happen too often - maybe once every few days. In this beginning stage I am also usually able to get it started again after it dies, and continue driving.
• As time goes on, it generally starts happening more often. Eventually it gets to the point where it's happening 1-3 times per day. At this point I usually can't start it immediately after it stalls - it'll start and then instantly sputter and die. But I can usually get it started again after 5 minutes or so.
• Eventually it gets completely debilitating. It stalls on nearly every drive. After stalling, I usually can't even get it started after sitting for 10 minutes. Once I left it for 2 days and it still died immediately after starting.
• Except for that final stage where it's practically undriveable, it seems that it's a little better after it sits for a few hours or overnight. This isn't an exact pattern, but it generally seems that way.
• It takes maybe 3 weeks between when it first starts happening and that last stage where it's basically useless.

The car's been in the shop 5 times for this problem, at 3 different mechanics. None of them have EVER seen the car stall and they've each spent 1-2 hours driving it over a few days. So they don't know what the problem is and therefore don't do any real work on it. They have told me they've gone under the hood, fiddled with things and taken things apart looking for problems. 4 of the 5 times I've gotten the car back and it's fixed - it doesn't stall for months. 8 months later it'll start all over again.

Because I usually get it back working it seems like there's some loose connection somewhere that they accidentally fixed when they were taking it apart looking for problems. Is that a stupid thought? Here's some final words to possibly shed some light on this.

There appears to be no pattern: on the highway and on back roads, in park or drive, in any weather, gentle or heavy driving, rare or regular use. Also, there is no overheating. This is a 4-door, V6, '91 LeBaron.

The whole problem just started again so here I am for some advice. I would be very grateful for any insights you may have - just something I can suggest to the mechanic. Thanks for your help!

[JSvob03]

ok, just a hunch, but im gonna say its either the crankshaft/camshaft position sensor, the ignition module, or one of the intake sensors. ive seen anyone of these cause your exact problem

[4pt9fiero]

Originally Posted by JSvob03

ok, just a hunch, but im gonna say its either the crankshaft/camshaft position sensor, the ignition module, or one of the intake sensors. ive seen anyone of these cause your exact problem

I am not sure what engine you have in your car but the three engines that were available did not have crank/cam sensors. My vote woulde be the ignition module.

The best advice that I could give would be go to somewhere like Autozone and have them pull the codes - they do it for free. Obviously the problem is more prevalent when the heat in the engine bay rises, leading to a possible diagnosis of the ignition module. These are known to go bad and display the exact symptoms that you describe.

Another thing to check is your fuel pressure. Has your fuel filter ever been replaced? If not, it is not very expensive and could rule out a possible suspect quickly.

Good Luck

[pachelbel101]

Thanks for all your insights. I'll have to consult my records to see if I've had my fuel filter replaced. It's been to the mechanic a few times but they've never done any work to fix it since they can't duplicate the stalling - so it definitely wasn't replaced those times. I'll look into it and suggest it to my mechanic (the car is there now).

Someone also mentioned it could have something to do with poor-quality fuel. I haven't paid attention to the gas stations I use around the times it acts up, but it lasts for weeks (across multiple tank fills) and then goes away for months, so I don't think that's it. What do you think - could that give me this sort of trouble? If so, would using premium fuel help?

Thanks again for the help!

[4pt9fiero]

I wouldn't concern myself too much about the quality of the fuel - your problem seems mostly to be related to heat issues under the hood.

An ignition module that is on its way out will appear to be bad when it heats up - causing your stalling when your going down the road for no apparent reason, not starting again until the engine bay cools off. On the days that it just doesn't work at all you go nowhere.

The problem is that a replacement ignition module costs $100-$150. Even a marginal module will appear good when tested most times - but it is worthwhile to have the mechanic read the codes from the computer. Some people say that you should just replace the whole distributor - I have heard of prices for a complete distributor in the $200-$250 range. Another option would be to go the salvage yard and pick up a used distributor - you can get the whole thing for $75. Have a look at www.car-part.com and do a search in your local area.

Good luck

[4pt9fiero]

Did you ever figure out what your problem was?

[bill fitzhugh]

did not mention if the car had set for any long period... if you have tried all of the good suggestions I see you have already gotten and no sucess try checking screen filter in gas tank.. had same sort of problem form car that had set for a long time... gas tank formed rusty scale floated away when setting then got sucked back after car ran awhile.......this was a demon to discover..... I also echo, if you solved the problem already what was it????

[jerr512002]

My 89 2.2 liter automatic will cut off going down the road at any given time. Doesn't have to be hot , sometimes immediately pulling out of the driveway. It usually starts back up but lately it is taking longer but it has never left me sitting. I won't run down the battery . I checked the distributor and no fire. Is there a way to check the ohms in the distributor and ignition coil? I hate to throw new parts but that is my next option. any help appreciated.

[Kidmoe]

I too have a 93 Lebaron with the same exact problem. Same stalls. Random times. Been in the shop 4 times and spent at least $400.00. It fails to start then sometimes runs fine for a few days. New rotor and distributor, fuel injectors, I can't remember what else. One thing I did notice was the smell of fuel in the oil and the oil level going up, How would fuel get into the oil? I don't know much about cars so any advice would be helpful.

[CoachKarl]

Welcome Kidmoe!
Vacuum leak?
You've got a pretty old car. Rubber hoses fail over time. Can you hear a "whistling" sound from under the hood when you rev the motor? If so, track that down . . if it's a split hose, replace it.

[Jamesjjr9110]

I know your car doesn't have a MAF sensor. But it has an air density meter since it is EFI. I just don't remember what its called.

I had a 91 Ford Escort that had a MAF sensor and did exactly the same thing. Randomly die, wouldn't start for hours, would crank right up then die instantly and then it would be fine for a few hours. $300 later I got fed up with it still not working and used what little knowledge I had and started with the MAF sensor. It started right up and ran fine with exception that it was slow and not responsive.

I forget what your "MAF" sensor is called its a little weighted "Flap" door that as the engine sucks air in through the intake it pulls the door open which has a sensor similar to the gas gauge that tells the computer how much air is being sucked in. Might check on that...? Hope I was of some help.

[jamesslcx]

hi everyone as usual i say start with the basics tune ups fuel filters and yes check the coils because problems with them can be heat related and also intermittent.

[juniorisgod]

I had same issue for last 2 yrs. New throttle position sensor, fuel pump, fuel filter, gas tank. Nothing worked. What seems to have finally fixed the problem is a new computer!!! 3 weeks and it has worked perfectly. Hope this helps.