Out of gas, never to run again...
 

Here is the deal, im fairly new to this car, but not new to mechanics so please bare with what ignorance I may have.

Question 1: Is a 94 Plymouth Sundance in fact a "P Body"?

I just got this car off of a person who ran it dry on gas. The story is that they "ran out of gas and pulled to the side of the road." What I know, it was out of fuel when I got to the scene. I bring it back to the garage (trailer), put 3 gallons of fuel in it and nothing....

Into the trouble shooting I find that the fuel pump is still good, but the relay for the pump is getting no juice. It also has no spark. This is telling me that the "computer" in the car is preventing it from running probably because some kind of safety switch?

Question 2: Is there a safety switch of some kind that trips when the car is ran out of fuel?

Question 3: What do you think about this situation?

Thanks guys.

I would check and make sure it didn't break the timing belt if it has one...

First thing I do.... Check all the fuses.... Then you know your good to go hunting!
Check and make sure the pcm is getting power?
Yes that is a P/Body
Do you have the 1.8 or 2.2 ?

what engine 2.2? there notoriose for timing belts and snapped cams. ask me how i know lol

Yes it is a 2.2L

So I popped off the inspection plug from the timing belt cover and sure enough the top pull isnt spinning. Im about 99% sure its the timing belt.

My next question: This belt broke while the engine was running (does it happen any other way?lol) so I am wondering if I am at risk of finding valves and pistons smashed together? Is that a no interference type valve timing?

And also will that trigger something to shut down the fuel pump too?

You won't get a crank signal
IT depends the single cam is non interference
The twin cam is an interference motor

IIRC that is a piston crusher, and if it was running at any substantial RPM there is sure to be carnage inside the cylinders. Sorry.

You should be ok... No interference......

http://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...cation_id=3002

:)

Sorry, I was incorrect, the 2.4 was considered the "freewheeling" motor which was supposed to be non-interference so to speak ,but had the "potential to cause piston damage"

The cam sensor is what send the signal to the PCM. There is no spark because the Dist. is run of the balance shaft and when the belt breaks (which it didnt they get loose and strip the cogs off as a rule) the shaft doesnt spin to drive the gear. It is a pretty easy job if you are mechanicly inclined. Are you sure this is a 2.2 most of them were 2.5L not that it makes much difference..Good luck if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask or PM me. I have been a Chrysler master tech for 35 years...Bill

slade, you are exactly right but the cam problems were fixed by 94 the early 2.2 had soft cams and the lifters would wear the cam and the cam also broke...Bill

oo ok i know i broke a earlier one lol. and that 2.2 was interferance engine i put holes in the pistons of one