my daughter has been driving it and it doesn't run too bad other than
having
the cold startup issue now.
"mr.som ting wong" <dbrider@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:47E6516E.708D2F08@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> since there is no codes you might have the freeze frame data looked at
it
> may
> show a pending code and what is the adapitve pids doing?
> i have replaced brand new fuel pumps that failed in minutes and also in
a
> couple
> weeks after timing belt and dist . replacement was timing checked
> if you question the map sensor unplug then try starting it under the
> conditions
> and see if there is any improvements or it was worse.
>
> Randy Pape wrote:
>
>> This has been an ongoing problem with my 98 dodge stratus for five
>> months.
>> This experience with this car proves to me why I never want to take my
>> car
>> to a mechanic unless it's absolutely necessary. Five weeks and two
>> mechanics
>> later, who were both highly recommended, my car still isn't right. This
>> car
>> has a brand new distributor, timing belt, water pump, EGR valve, PCV
>> valve,
>> fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor, oil and
>> filter, coolant temp sensor and battery. The original problem started
>> with
>> what I was told was a bad fuel pump. Then after that was changed, it
>> turned
>> into a hard-starting, no power issue. The first mechanic told me he
>> checked
>> the catalytic converter, which he never did. He also said he did vacuum
>> tests and changed the intake plenum gaskets, which he never did. And
>> after
>> two weeks in his shop, he told me it was either my computer,
distributor,
>> or
>> timing belt.
>>
>> Now on to the next mechanic. He had the car for three weeks. He said he
>> did
>> a leak-down cylinder test, compression test, checked the timing, put in
>> an
>> oxygen censor, and catalytic converter. $800 later, the car still runs
>> terrible at first start-up ,and now the engine is noisier than I
remember
>> it
>> to be. The catalytic converter made a difference, there's power getting
>> to
>> the car. When my daughter and I picked up the car, I noticed the engine
>> was
>> warm, so of course, it started fine and ran good all the way home. So
>> they
>> must have run the car just before I got there so I could get it out of
>> their
>> garage, and out of their hair .
>>
>> Today when we tried to start it in our thirty degree temperatures, it
>> will
>> hardly idle, and I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep it running.
>> Once
>> the car warmed up, it seemed to run better and then we could shut it
off
>> and
>> it started right up and idled fine. Do any of you knowledgeable people
>> out
>> there have any ideas where I can go look now? Perhaps the map sensor?
IAC
>> motor? Throttle position sensor, EGR valve? All of these, from what
I've
>> read and researched, could possibly be part of my problem. I know these
>> can
>> all be tested with a volt meter, which I know how to use. I will
probably
>> perform these tests over the weekend. All of these tests were supposed
to
>> have been done by both of these mechanics. There are NO codes coming up
>> at
>> all and forgive me if I'm coming off a bit harsh and bitter, but after
>> this
>> much time and money(around $1500), my daughter's car still isn't right.
>> Thanks for any info or advice.
>>
>> p.s. I know there are good, honest mechanics out there. I just haven't
>> found
>> one yet.
>
|
