Dodge Caravan - 1993 SE Miles: 87K Engine : Mitsubishi 3.0L
The book says to check the ignition timing, you should disconnect the coolant sensor. As soon as I disconnect the coolant sensor the engine starts breathing a lot making and the timing mark keeps jumping between 10-15 degrees. If the sensor is connected it doesn't breath at all and the engine seems to run normally. What could I be missing here?
TIA
-Paul
Does the cooling fan turn on when you disconnect the coolant sensor?
aarcuda69062, Yes, the cooling fan does turn on and that is when the engine starts breathing i.e. RPM goes low and then perhaps IAC tries to maintain the RPM and this process keeps repeating while the coolant sensor is disconnected.
-Paul
Glenn, Thanks for the response. Yup the fan does turn on after I disconnect the sensor. The van seems to run fine after I connect the sensor back. I was expecting the engine to run steadily so that I can see a steady timing mark to ensure that it is indeed 12 degrees +/- 2. By belt being loose, are you talking about the timing belt ? If indeed it is the timing belt causing it, then I wonder why it does not happen when sensor is connected back.
-Paul
It has around 87K miles and the timing belt has never been changed. Distributor, rotor, sparkplugs and the wires are all new and I bought from chrysler. I am the first owner of this vehicle. This is what triggered me to check the ignition timing.
-Paul
Just checking that you were disconnecting the right thing.
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