1998 Dodge Avenger - V6

Help !!!!!!

I have now replaced, the spark plug wires, Distribuor, Idle Control Valve(IAC), and my Mechanic Sprayed the Entire car Engine with Soappy water to see if the car would Stall or Idle Roughly, but no problem could be found.

Any experts know what could be causing my Avenger to Idle Rough when there is moisture in the air or when it rains.

Regards,

David Mc

 

Anyone else have this problem ? On my 98 ES, when it rained hard it would miss when taking a right hand corner, as if water was getting into the electrics somewhere. This morning, after sitting all weekend (rained Friday and Sunday), it would not fire at all....due to no spark, don't think it's fuel as I could smell the gas after a while.
Is this likely to be a bad crankshaft position sensor, and if so should there be a code ?

 

it could be the CPS or an ASD failure or even a fuel relay

 

I removed the front plugs, and they were smelling of gas, so I don't think it's the fuel pump.
What's the best way to test the ASD system, before I remove the CPS ?
Thanks for the info

 

this is actually a pretty easy circuit to deal with, and ill first explain to you how it works then tell you what you should look for...

a constant 12v is provided to the asd and fuel pump relay along with the pcm.

the pcm then has a KEY ON power circuit. when you turn the key on, the pcm now activates all KEY ON circuits (fuel pump is one of them). the pcm does this via a ground signal.

so the asd relay has 4 pins. 12v power constant, 12v power feed, ground, and 12v power KEY ON. the relay always has power via battery/fuse box, then gets power via another fuse when the key is turned on, then gets GROUND from PCM when key is turned on, then has a pin to deliver power to associated relay circuits.

once the relay receives a ground signal from the pcm, it triggers the relay and activates SEVERAL sources via a junction connector under the PCM. it sends power to the fuel pump relay, coil, alternator, crank position sensor, oxygen sensors and a few others.

the fuel pump relay in your case is next in line. it has a fused 12v constant source via battery/fuse box. 12v Key ON power via ASD relay (this is a power activated relay, where as the ads is ground activated), a aconstant ground, then a signal or power output pin (which goes to the fuel pump). At this point once the fuel pump relay gets its power signal from the asd relay it powers up the fuel pump for a time delay of only 3 seconds. the fuel pump gets its own ground fyi via another circuit. after 3 seconds you will not be able to check for power at any of teh ASD powered sources UNTIL you begin cranking or the motor is running.

now you know how the system works, grab a power source, and apply direct power to pumps power pin. if the pump primes and runs you have a good pump w no power source.

this time take fuel pump connector in hand, and a dvom, have someone turn the key on for u while you check for power at the connector to the pump. if you have power then the pump isnt ur issue... if you dont have power, move along to the fuel pump relay. check for power at the power pin from asd relay when you have a buddy turn the key on... remember you only have roughly 3 seconds to cheeck for power b4 the time delay which is set into the pcm turns off. and just keep following the circuit back until you find the problem/

 

UPDATE..............checked the ASD relay, everything fine, so I pulled the battery, and disy cap to replace the CPS. Checked for moisture in the dissy cap..none. Put it all back together, and after much cranking it finally started, ( I guess the plugs were flooded), not sure if it was cos it had dried out, or because of the new CPS.
However it started very quickly this morning, without much cranking, so I hope that was it.
I also suspect water is somehow getting into the plug on the side of the dissy, so I plan to waterproof where the wires go in with silicone.
Thanks for all the help, and hope this may help someone in the future ........... :O)

 

if you absolutely want to waterproof there any more, please use a dielectric and not silicone. The silicone curing process releases acidic fumes that will eat and tarnish metal surfaces, not to mention if you need to get those plugs off it will be a royal pita.

 

Ok thanks for the tip ...............but today on my way to work, flashing CEL, which I believe is a missfire, however engine was running great ..............WTF
Think I'll erase the code, and see if it was set in the computer before the new CPS..........

 

Another update ...........reset the cel, and it drives fine. Every 60 or so miles it will set the CEL, with the multiple misfire code ...........WTF
I guess I have a break somewhere in the wiring, or anyone else had this problem, and know how tom troubleshoot it ?
thanks in advance

 

My avenger does the same. spark plugs, distributor, coil, etc have been replaced and codes came up clear, but today it rain for 3 miles then at the stop light it stalled, died, then restarted. I pulled to a parking lot and drove around and it jerked when idle. I have fixed everything but fuel pump, so I am guessing that should be fixed. I'll let yall know how it goes.