*96 Eclipse* Engine dies while driving

[mysticstylez]

Let me start by stating I hate asking for help, in pretty much any situation, but I am stumped here. I have researched dsmtuners and 2gnt.com, and although I have found similar problems, but nothing as unique as mine.

Some info on the car:

96 Eclipse RS Lightly modded (mostly bolt-ons)
Engine has about 90k miles.
Replaced all timing components 10k miles ago, all done by an auto shop.
New Battery and new 4 gauge ground wire.
Alternator, starter and battery all testing good at Autozone and Advanced Auto
Spark plugs are a year old.

Okay here's the problemo:

I'll be cruising down the street, minding my own business(sometimes) and the engine will die. There is still power. All the lights are on, radio stays on, everything. No dimming or flickering lights. Car will not start after this, unless It's jumped off with cables. I've even roll started it once. I get a cel code 54, which is camshaft position sensor. After I jump the car off, it will drive fine for about a day, then BAM, it dies again. Repeat above steps. I'll test the battery after this, and it's fine. 12.8 volts.

The timing on this car is spot on. You could set your watch to it. No power loss, the car pulls fine through all gears, with no misfiring. I've checked battery grounds, and cleaned posts and terminals on battery. I'm clueless as to what it could be. At first I thought it was the alternator or battery, but they seem to be fine. Could the Camshaft position sensor cause this?

My ECU trouble codes: 12, 17, 21, 31, 54

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[dented_coffee]

Is the power wire leading to your starter loose? For some odd reason my 1993 did that and that was my problem. I installed a new ring terminal and it never happend again.

I think it was a jolt that triped a relay or something.

 

[mysticstylez]

Connection to the starter looks good. Would a bad connection cause the engine to stall?

 

[dented_coffee]

Mine did. I was driving down the road and hit a small bump and my car shut off and I couldnt start it on its own without a jump. Radio didnt skip a beat but the engine died. I grabbed the wire to the starter and yanked on it to get it snug while a friend turned the key and it started back up. I grabbed the wire thinking that if its not starting then theres something stoping power from going to the starter. When I turned the key to try to start it without a jump I could hear a clicking from behind the dash but the engine would not even try to turn over.

My wire looked fine and was all tight but the ring terminal was a 1AWG on a 5AWG wire. It was a really crappy job from a previouse owner I guess. But I replaced it with some 4AWG power wire and a brand new ring terminal on there and I never had the problem again.

If you need a little bit more of a better description about all that was taking place with the problem that I experianced and how I fixed it. I will gladly help. I do hope that this was as described in a way that you understood.

 

[mysticstylez]

Yeah I understand it. I'll look closer by pulling the wire off. Probably not a bad idea to go ahead and change it anyway. Thanks! I wonder what the deal is with the camshaft sensor then?

 

[mysticstylez]

Not sure exactly what I did to fix it so I'll just list everything. The battery wasnot strapped down, so I secured it well and tightened the connections. I also took off the camshaft position sensor and cleaned all the oil and crud off, and put it back on. It's been over a week, and everything seems fine.

*knock on wood*

 

[mysticstylez]

It was the camshaft position sensor.