While driving my 1998 Dodge Stratus (2.4 L), sometimes it does not accelerate even when i floor the gas pedal.

Question

It seems like its missing, and the rpm needle goes low, but the engine never shuts off. It seems like it is going to shut off but it never does. This lasts for about less than a minute, then it gets a blast of energy and it speeds right up, and everything is normal. It occurs everytime i start the car and drive. It happens almost 5 mins after the car has been started. Thishappened after my timing belt broke, and after i replaced it this happens. Before the mechanic said it was the oxygen sensor, so i changed those and still the problem. Now the final conclusion my last mechanic came to was that its the ECM/ECU, because the CHECK ENGINE light is also on. Now what could it be? Timing belt, ECM copmuter? plz help!

Answer 1

You will have to have the car scanned to determine if the PCM is at fault or if a sensor is a problem. At the same time, they can determine if the transmission is at fault. Don't go throwing parts at it until it has been properly diagnosed.

Answer 2

NEVER replace any part till you know what the problem is. Whoever replaced your timing belt was a poor mechanic. Why did you replace it ?? Did the mechanic tell you it was a problem ??
Did you actually see him replace it ? Is the front of the engine clean and the bolts shiny like they had been removed and replaced ?? Go to Auto Zone or some large auto supply and ask them to scan your trouble codes and see if they can diagnose the problem. Don't start replacing parts if a trouble code says some part is bad. The codes must be understood by a qualified mechanic.

http://pages.sssnet.com/alfsoftware/tech/tech5.html

Answer 3

Oh man.. I love it when you DIYers have these kind of problems. The amount of equipment you need to fix a vehicle now-a-days is astounding. I'm assuming you did all of this work without ever using as much as Tech 2 or 3 to recheck your engine settings. That check engine light, while mostly associated with you emissions control can really be telling you anything is wrong, including not re-setting codes after the work you did. You have to turn the job over to your mechanic, and have him do a complete diagnostic, which may require the replacement of the ECM/ECU, which may have blown out due to the work you did.

Answer 4

since you replaced the timing belt you know it isnt broke it could be loose or it could be the computer have the mechanic that told about the comeputer check the belt before any computer work is done