This may be the dreaded RCM module problem, but it's strange and seems to be heat related.

Twice in the last month the car has died for no apparent reason and failed to restart for at least 30 minutes, always in high outside temps (100F+). The strange part is the outside temp display goes up to ten degrees more than the actual outside temp -- 110+, much hotter than the actual temp. That tells me something near my outside temp sensor is getting hot. Even after the ambient temp goes down 10 degrees the display reads above 100 until it restarts, then readout is normal.

Note that my outside temp display is always rock solid except when the die/restart/die occurs.

Each time this has happened the Check Engine light comes on when it finally does restart but goes out after 5 or so starts.

The symptom reminds me of a clogged fuel filter but that temperature thing has me spinning in circles. Am I the Lone Ranger or has this happened to you?

Thanks.

 

If the engine does crank .. the RCM must not be the issue.. I'd go with the CPS.. Don't know about the temp reading scenario though..

 

Bad BP gas? Have you used BP? Just sayin....

 

My vote is for CPS. Classic symptoms. Heat makes em stop working if they are going bad.

 

CPS 100%. Happend to my old and sold N/A.

 

For future reference if It's the rcm the engine will not crank and the cps the engine will crank?

 

RCM: SOMETIMES won't crank, may crank after several tries ...
CPS: if totally bad, engine turns over, won't crank EVER.
If going bad, will sometimes not crank, sometimes will, and also sometimes die while driving.

 

Lets clarify this a little.. from personal experiece and what I've read.. (no rcm issue)

CPS.. dies suddenly.. doesn't "have" to actually be hot..(mine died after 7 miles the first time).. Engine will crank (defined as starter turning engine) but will not fire (run..vroom vroom)

RCM.. dies suddenly..no real clue of run - heat level.. Will not crank (dead starter symptom).. cools down and typically will crank (starter engagement) with fire (vroom vroom)..

 

What he said .....

( need to work on my 'crank' and 'start' verbs )

 

It's all good.. I knew what you meant.. just could be confusing to some.. crank over and start could be equal in their minds..

 

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Outside temperature displays are only accurate when car is in motion. Otherwise when stationary, the sensor picks up excessive engine heat, giving a false reading.

 

I would suspect that since the temp sensor is outside the grille it's picking up the heat from the pavement, not the engine.

 

You were absolutely right, it was the crankshaft position sensor. The guy at the shop asked me how I knew...

Thanks.

 

Glad to see you found the problem. I just changed my CPS as well. My Crossfire kept dieing. I found out the problem through the forums on this site.

 

just had same problem... mech replaced the cps and still wouldn't run.Turns out the connecter for the cps is poorly designed. He took it apart and tweaked the contacts and it has run great for a month now