[doc2b]

Hi folks,

I have a 2000 Intrepid, 2.7L. A buddy of mine replaced the alternator last weekend (it had a bad diode and was wheezing badly). Everything was working like a charm, but as I turned a corner this morning (after a 30 mile commute...thus the car was 'warm'), the car died, however I was able to start it right back up.

Since he's out of town, I need to figure out what is going on. I don't think he disconnected the battery terminals when he replaced it. Does the computer need to be 'reset'? I wasn't getting any codes before I replaced it, but now I get a P1684--disconnected in the last 50 starts. The belts aren't making noise, so I don't think they're loose. Everything seems to be charging fine also.

Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

Doc

[froggy81500]

computer doesn't need to be reset when replacing the alt, but the battery should have been disconnected anyway when swapping out the alt. Start looking for loose connections. The car just dying is a little vague and could be a number of different things, some related to the charging system and lots of things not.

[Intrepidman21]

NEVER EVER leave the battery connected when replacing the alternator! Considering you're dealing with voltage, continiously (DC voltage) always disconnect the negative battery terminal whenever messing with the alternator.

[doc2b]

Thanks.

As far as leaving the battery connected, I don't know what my buddy was thinking

I had the belts and connections checked. They were okay. Alternator was charging fine, battery okay too. No codes, even after hooked up to diagnostics.

However, after another 30 mile commute, I noticed something strange. It appears that when the car comes to a near stop (like turning a corner) or a stop, the idle drops lower than normal, and if I don't accelerate, the engine will stall.

For the last several months, after the car was 'warm', at rest the RPMs were often right at 500, and would slip below. The car would then compensate by automatically accelerating. Now the car isn't compensating for the drop in RPMs. Does this seem like a just a low idling problem that can be fixed by upping the idle? The car runs smooth at all speeds, it just wants to stall when almost at a stop or turning a corner.

[peva]

Idle not adjustable. Bad IAC (Idle Air Control) valve or TPS (Throttle Position Sensor)?

[doc2b]

Hi,

Is the IAC difficult to get to on the 2.7? Should I just try cleaning it or fork over for a new one? Parts store wants $97 for a new one.

What about the the TPS? Parts store wants $83 for one of those.

I hate to just go about changing parts if they're just dirty and can be cleaned with carb cleaner.

Thanks everyone,

Doc

[froggy81500]

Not difficult at all, attached to the side of the throttle body on the passenger side. If you can find the throttle body you can find the TPS and IAC. The TPS is directly across from the throttle cable and the IAC sits below the TPS. But a word of caution, the bolts for them break pretty easy. Soak them with penetrating oil first and let it soak in for a little while

[doc2b]

The problem hasn't acted up again until today (I just haven't had time to deal with it yet). But today the weather was warm so I had the a/c on for the first time since the last time that I had a problem. It appears that the car only stalls when the engine reaches a threshold temperature, in other words, when the engine is very warm. It doesn't seem to happen in the colder weather.

I'm guessing it's the IAC...wouldn't the TPS throw a code? Also if it was the EGR, wouldn't I get a code and also rough idle? The car idles smooth and runs smooth, just idles too low under warm conditions. I hope to clean the IAC this weekend and hope it helps...it is rediculously expensive to replace.

[akumar2001]

The belt(s) might be too tight. That's why when at corner the engine stresses out. Start the car, then turn the wheel all the way to left and right and see if the engine starts to humm down.

[ludvig]

FYI AK...this is an old post.......from 2007...im sure its fixed by now

[Ronbo]

Probably junked it by now! LOL!

[Squilliam]

^This

[EagleESI]

How do people seriously dig up such old threads?

[akumar2001]

If I ran into this problem just couple of days ago...there might be others too. Regardless of that info is info. Bet criticizing others filled your fetish for sadisticness.

[peva]