98 stratus 2.5L problem

[webdogg22]

I have a 98 dodge stratus with the 2.5L v6. I have a problem that after i drive a while the rpms just drop to zero sometimes they go back up and the car runs fine, but most of the time it will die and the oil light will come on. Once it dies it will not start till it has cooled down for a while. My uncle is a mechanic and he said it was the distibutor. So i replaced the distributor, the distributor cap, and the rotor. It drove with out any problems for about 100miles and it did it again. I have no idea what it could be and my uncle was sure that that was the problem and doesnt have any ideas. There is no check engine light or anything like that until the oil light comes on when it dies but the light goes out as soon as you turn the ignition back on. Does anyone have any idea to help me out.

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[teddyv]

Have similar problem with a 96 dodge; when it will die, it will not even crank for a while. Replaced wires, distributor head and rotor. No change. Now I ordered the MAP sensor which I hope will replace next week.

[webdogg22]

I replaced the distributor, cap, and rotor none of which helped. Then i replaced the crankshaft position sensor (CPS) and the car has ran fine for the last three weeks so im guessing that the problem is fixed.

[gradedgraydad]

I'm always amazed at how quickly mechanics tell you what's broken with only a verbal description of the problem. I'm more amazed that people keep believing them and spending money.

I had the same thing happen to me. I talked to some car guys, then did my own trouble shooting. Since it was intermittent, I had to wait until the problem appeared again. When it did, I tested Cam position sensor and Crank position sensor. It was the Crank sensor. I replaced it and that was the end of the problem.

[bad venge]

I've seen the CPS cause intermittant troubles when heated as they are hall effect sensors they get weird

[Evolutions]

I have a friends car having the similar problems. The oil light comes on and the car doesn't want to accelerate anymore. When he pulls over, shuts the car off and cranks it back, the vehicle runs fine. His is a 00 Stratus, 2.5L auto.
We changed the oil sending unit. How does a Crank position sensor or Cam sensor throw a low oil light?

[ratsttam]

Evolutions, the answer is simple. when the sensor is thrown, the car stalls. no engine, no oil pressue. = oil light.

[Evolutions]

If the Crank PS was bad, would it not run rough all the time? With the idle going low, I would have thought the TPS was going bad?

[bad venge]

The CPS gets flakey it can run fine for awhile THEN act up and die ...
There is a CPS testing procedure in the avenger 95/99 section , but it might test OK if it's intermittant