My 1986 245 dies randomly, about 6-8 times / week.
Commonly occurs when I'm driving, straight, on smooth roads. Occurs at all speeds. Engine just dies and the lights come on. It generaly starts right up afterwards.

Lots of effort made to resolve the issue, including: replaced hall sensor; replaced main fuse block (25A) with new waterproof model from IPD; replaced Ignition module (including new "sleeves" for the three critical pins); new rotor and cap and plugs and wires; replaced ignition switch; cleaned all the grounds I could find; checked, rubbed, jiggled, pulled, pushed every wire/connector I could find with no effect on a running engine; checked all the fuses for corrosion; replaced the fuel pump relay; replaced the main fuel pump; timing good, runs great (usually). I do have a randon rear wiper activation which I suspect is a short in the wiring harness through the rear lift gate.

I did find a suspect connector on a sensor under the intake manifold.

I only saw two sensors there. One had a bare wire (repaired) and the other has a loose electrical connector at the top. I want to replace it but I'm not sure what it is.

This being a 1986, I assume it is an LH 2.2. One of the sensors I assume to be the temp sensor but can't find anything in the manuals about the other one.

The problem unit is the rearward one of the two I see under the intake. It is slightly larger than the other.

Not sure if this is the problem but it is the only suspicious thing I've found.

Can anyyone identify it for me so I can get the right replacement part?

Also, anyone care to take a stab at giving me ideas on the source of this intermitent dieing issue? Rather dangerous as it is.

Appreciate any help. Jeff

I found the suspect wire/sensor under my intake manifold was the knock sensor (chrysler style). The attachment of the tab to the sensor was loose so the tab would wiggle/rock around.

I replaced the sensor (and cleaned the throttle body while I had it off).

Car seems to run great now. Have not had it die on me in over a week.

I suspect the poor connection on the knock sensor was causing the ECU to react to the sudden loss of signal (when the tab would wiggle/move) by dropping to full retard (the default status if no sensor signal is found). I assume this could then lead to the engine dieing.

Does my theory sound sound?

Jeff

Check for corrosion/poor contact at Coil Primary terminals ! and 15.

The '87-'88 (not sure about '86) also has a 2-pin plug in the Coil Primary circuit. It's hidden away beneath the coil. See Aye Roll's photo below
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

I will investigate this possibility. Much better tha.n a new wiring harness.

Thanks,

jrk

Sure sounds like the fuel pump relay, check the circuit board for cracks in the solder joints. Make sure the 25 amp fuse has a good clean connection at the battery. Rotate the other fuses in the fuse box to get a good clean contact. Dan

Lot's of possibilities are covered in the FAQ's - try starting here:

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EnginePerformanceSymptoms.htm#Sudden_Cutout_While_Driving_Electrical

Although it seems you have covered a lot of possibilities already.

I hope to find time to read all the info I downloaded last night, following your lead. Thanks.

I have found that there are actually three sensors in the area under the intake manifold on this car. One at the front, higher, is connected to a yellow wire which I suspect is a temp sensor. One at the rear of the block (still on the driver's side of the engine) and, the possible trouble maker between them, lower on the block. I am hoping this is the Chrysler/Volvo knock sensor.

If so, and given it's poor connection to the (Purple? Dark pink?) wire, I am hoping an intermittent connection will be confusing the engine(ECU) sufficiently to cause the intermittent dieing issue (loss of signal, stray signal/voltage, confusion for the ECU causing an acute retardation of the timing).

I am at the point of replacing the wiring harness and all three sensors under the inake manifold, plus maybe throw in a new coil for good measure.

I read your post since my '88 has an intermittent cut out problem I can't find and I hoped we had something in common that could help us both. Maybe not.

But I do know that the two sensors under the intake manifold are both temp sensors. The forward one is for your dash temp gauge and the rear one is for your computer. I don't see either of those causing the engine to cut out. Just maybe run rich or lean if the computer gets the wrong temp info.

I have spares of both of these used if you want to write me. The part number, and new part, should be easy to find at fcpgroton.com.

Good luck with your issue.

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Andy in St. Paul. '89 244 153K mi, '91 745 Regina 202K, '88 244 184K