Had to be towed home yesterday. Driving at highway speed, the engine started sputtering as though I was running out of gas. 1/2 tank available so I assumed the fuel pump died. With two kids and the highway I couldn't tell if it was humming when I attempted to crank. Earlier in the day, the van had bucked but then was fine; until it wasn't ;-)

So, I can hear the pump when the key is turned to on. I put a spark plug on one of the wires and can see spark. Pulled a plug and can smell gas on it. If I cycle the key to on (not cranking) and off a few times with the plug out, I get a gas smell. Tried squirting a small bit of gas in the throttle body but no attempt to start. Connected a code reader and it connects to the computer but isn't showing any codes. Swapped the ADS relay with the A/C one. Check engine light comes on with the key, then times out and stays out.

Is this consistent with a crankshaft position sensor, Cam shaft position sensor or something else? Something I've missed checking or is it now just throw parts at it? Money is tight and this is my only vehicle so I'm trying to think it through before jumping off a cliff.

Thanks for any help I can get!

 

When a CPS is bad, usually - sometimes, the Check Engine light will flash when you first turn on the van.
What you experienced does sound like a CPS...did you try the 'key dance' to see if you have a code for it?

 

The key dance! I forgot about that. I will give it a shot in the morning. Thank you.

BTW, I got a friend to pick up the CPS for me and it's made no difference.

 

So did the 'key dance' routine and no codes, just displays 'P done' and then returns to the trip odo.

As I said in the last post, the crankshaft position sensor was replaced with no effect. Multiple attempts to crank it without the slightest sign of firing.

In the category of "for what it's worth": 10 days ago I had to replace the battery due to age. It was jump started once prior to battery replacement.

I'm at a loss what to check next. I really don't want to throw parts at it for no reason.

 

Change the ignition coil. Although you're getting some spark, it sounds like it's weak.

 

Ok, I will try that today. Thank you for the feedback.

 

Thank you both funair02 and alloro. You should feel a bit of positive karma hitting you today.

alloro, you hit it. Because I am a pack rat, I still have the coil that was replaced a year ago as part of a tune up. Put that in and she runs great. I guess I am no expert on a weak spark vrs a strong one. I also need to work on KISS ;-)

 

Orange is weak and blue is strong (normal). It can be hard to tell the difference in the daylight, but the difference is really noticeable when it is darker out.

 

Please please I hope that is what happened to my van today. Same thing running fine and all of a sudden sounded like i'm out of gas. Started stuttering like a car that still runs when you shut it off. Put gas in it,pulled a wire off the plug and it has spark but it looked weak. God I hope its the coil. Just bought one online I am picking it up in the morning.

 

Yes you guys are F'ing Awesome. Put a new coil on it this morning and blam fired right up. Boy I love the internet.Saved me a boat load of money by not having to tow it to a shop.