Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Not applicable Not applicable
Q: Yesterday the 'check engine' light just turned on.
I have been to the garage a couple times for other stuff and I am afraid to go back and get the news of a couple thousands of dollars of repairs again. So before I do anything is there a way to run a diagnostic and find out if this is a serious problem? In which case the car 'goes' (i have had it). Or if it is something simple,...
Thanks
A: moxt of the time when acheck engin light comes on it is caused by a faulty sensor. Given the age of the car i would guess the oxygen sensor. How ever guessing is no way to find out. You can check the trouble codes (which are stored in the computer when the check engine light comes on) by graounding the diognostic terminal which is usualy under the dash or in some cars in the glove box> You will need a service manuual to give you the specific instructions for your model car, you can get one at any parts store for about $10.
All Part Groups Malfunction When accelerating Always
Q: My 1996 Dodge Stratus has no power when you go to accelerate. It hesitates at at a certain spot on the accelerator pedal. Then it will act like it's running out of gas.
I took it in for diagnosis and they said it was a cracked spark plug. They changed that, but there was no difference.
Then they changed the fuel pump, and had the catalytic converter checked, which is ok.
I'm hoping you might have a simple answer.
Thanks, Stephanie
A: Hi Stephanie..... If the problem happens at the same foot placement on the accelerator pedal, my suspicions would be the throttle position switch....
It acts just like a dimmer switch for lights in your house.... if it has a blank spot during the turning of the knob, the lights go out.....
Same as the signal for the computer that feeds the fuel to the engine..... Ed
Q: My '96 Dodge Stratus has no power when you accelerate. When you get a certain spot on the peddle, it hesitates. Then it acts like it's running out of gas.
I took it in for diagnosis, and they said it
was a cracked spark plug. So we changed that, but it made no difference.
We also changed the fuel pump, and checked the catalytic converter.
So maybe there's a simple answer??
A: Sounds like the throttle position switch has an "opening" in it.... Like the light rheostat (or dimmer) in your house....
You turn it for brighter, but sometimes it gets a spot where the lights go out altogether.....
This may be the same thing, only in this case the fuel goes off...... Ed
Brake System Vibration When braking Not applicable
Q: My 1996 Dodge Stratus has a brake problem. It sometimes sounds like a squeak of a pad against a warped rotor, but has progressed into the entire car vibrating when I hit the brakes. I am quite certain that the rear brakes are the problem. It is a low pitched noise rather than the normal sound of squeaky pads.
When the car is first driven each day, the sound is the loudest, it always makes a loud clunking (for lack of a better word) noise several times from the rear, and then it gradually quiets down after it is driven for awhile). But may occur again once car has been parked awhile.
The brakes (rear and front) have been replaced several times, but only temporary relief!
A: My husband's 99 Stratus made similar noises. Then we recieved a recall letter. They replaced somethin in the rear brakes. I want to say it was a hose, but I don't know for sure. Check with your dealer to see if the recall applies to your car.
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