Workshop Manuals Factory service & repair Eagle

Eagle common faults and how to fix them

Faults that are well known on Eagle models we hold manuals for: what the owner notices, what causes it, and the pages in our manuals that cover the repair.

Eagle Talon timing belt: 2.0 DOHC belt can strip teeth or break (1990–1991)

Symptoms

Usually no warning: the engine stops suddenly and won't restart, or turns over unusually fast. Because the 2.0 DOHC is an interference engine, a broken belt can bend valves and damage pistons.

Cause

Chrysler Customer Satisfaction Notification 594 (January 1994) covers 1990–1991 Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser models with the 2.0 DOHC engine, turbo and non-turbo, and 1989–1990 Eagle Summit and Colt models with the 1.6 DOHC. The camshaft timing belt on these engines may strip teeth or break, which could damage the pistons and valve train.

Fix

The campaign replaced the camshaft timing belt. On any Talon, keep to the timing belt change interval, and if the service history doesn't show when it was last done, change it now. The Eagle Talon timing belt notice adds that the tensioner did not need replacing on 1990–1991 cars unless it was leaking oil. Follow the manual's procedure to line up the timing marks, including the balance shaft belt on the 2.0. The Talon TSi turbo engine is covered as well as the non-turbo.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Chrysler Customer Satisfaction Notification 594 (January 1994).

Eagle Talon AWD: viscous coupling failure from mismatched tyres (1991–1992)

Symptoms

Binding or a shudder in tight turns, noise from the centre of the drivetrain, or repeated failures of the transfer case viscous coupling on the all-wheel-drive Talon.

Cause

Chrysler bulletin 21-51-91 covers the 1991–1992 Talon AWD and the 1992 Summit Wagon AWD. Incorrect rear tyre sizes can cause repeated viscous coupling failures. Any difference in tyre size, including oversized tyres front or rear, makes the front and rear driving wheels fight each other (driveline wrap-up), which can lead to a drivetrain failure.

Fix

Fit four tyres of the same original equipment size, and don't mix tyre makes. Keep all four tyres at the correct pressure, and rotate them to keep wear even. If the coupling has already failed, replace it, but correct the tyres first or the new one will fail too. The Eagle Talon AWD bulletin gives Chrysler's guidance.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Chrysler technical service bulletin 21-51-91 (October 1991).

Eagle Talon lifter tick: lash adjuster noise on the 1.8 and 2.0 (1991–1992)

Symptoms

A ticking or tapping noise from the top of the engine, from one or more hydraulic lash adjusters (tappets). It may be loudest after a cold start and can persist once the engine is warm.

Cause

Chrysler bulletin 09-53-91 covers the 1991–1992 Talon and Laser with the Mitsubishi 1.8 SOHC and 2.0 DOHC engines, and the 1992 Summit Wagon 2.4. Air trapped in a lash adjuster makes it noisy. Old, deteriorated oil or an overfilled sump increase the amount of air trapped. Chrysler found that many lash adjusters returned under warranty were in fact good parts.

Fix

Check the oil level and condition first, and change the oil or correct the level. Then follow the bleeding procedure in the Eagle Talon lifter bulletin: with the engine warm, raise the speed gradually to 3000 rpm, hold it for 30 seconds and bring it back down slowly, repeating up to ten times. If the noise remains, the bulletin's test identifies which adjuster is bleeding down, and only that one is replaced.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Chrysler technical service bulletin 09-53-91 (November 1991).

Eagle Vision transmission: 42LE delayed engagement (1993–1997)

Symptoms

After starting, the automatic gearbox takes a moment to engage drive or reverse, sometimes with a fault code stored. It affects the 42LE four-speed automatic in the Vision.

Cause

Chrysler bulletin 21-07-98 covers delayed engagement on the 41TE and 42LE in many Chrysler group cars and minivans, including the 1993–1997 Eagle Vision. It lists known causes that were hard to diagnose in the field, such as loss of fluid prime. Where code 35 is set and there is no other cause such as a low fluid level or a badly fitted filter, the bulletin says the oil pump needs replacing.

Fix

Check the fluid level and condition first, using the correct fluid, and confirm the filter is fitted properly. Then use the Eagle Vision transmission bulletin's table to match the symptoms and codes to the repair. After any repair, run the quick-learn procedure so the gearbox relearns its clutch volumes.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Chrysler technical service bulletin 21-07-98.

Repair instructions for every Eagle model: Eagle workshop manuals