I have a 1991 Dodge Spirit that first started acting up in April and no one I've talked to has any idea what's wrong. It has low RPM's, takes itself off of cruise control, sometimes dies at stopsigns or if I'm idling, and lurches when I drive on the highway for more than 2 miles.
I took it to the small hometown mechanic next door, and they had no idea. They changed the PCV valve and said that the only other thing they could come up with is the catalytic converter. Anyway, so far, my car has a new PCV valve, catalytic converter, fuel filter, thermostat, and distributor. The distributor came the closest to actually helping; now I can drive up to 7 or 8 miles on the highway.
If I don't get helpful responses, next on the list of repairs are: radiator belt (don't know if that will help my problem, but I need a new one anyway), spark plugs and wires, and a coil. I'm also overdue for an oil change, which is happening tomorrow.
Any suggestions?
2006-12-30 11:39:27 · 8 answers · asked by ashiri910 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You may have a failing O2 Sensor, a bad MAP sensor, a bad throttle positioning sensor, or a vacuum line leaking. Have you had the vehicle computer scanned for codes? If you do not have access to a computer code scanner, you can read the basic codes on that model by turning the key on and off several times, ending with the key on. (do not start the engine). Watch the check engine light, it should blink repeatedly. Count the blinks, and that will give you the trouble codes.
It will blink in sets of 2 numbers. Most likely you will get 1 blink, then a pause then 2 more. That would be a 12 code (which just means the battery has been disconnected at some point). Keep counting the flashes. 5-5 should be the last one, which is the end of test code.
This link will give you more information, and a list of codes. Reading the codes with a scanner is more accurate, but this will be better than changing random parts!http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html
2006-12-30 12:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could have more than one problem. Check the wires to the engine and battery and ground connections first. Also you didn't specify the low RPMs. Are they low if you attempt to rev it up "out of gear" or simply driving. If so the transmissions on these cars are often bad and will lock into 2nd gear or even 3rd gear for takeoffs which bogs down the engine. Also the speed sensors on the transmission (there are two of them) can knock you out of cruise control. What engine are you working on as well as 4 and 6 cylinders available in them if memory serves. Next time you "take off from stop" leave the transmission in 1rst gear until it is reving up good and then shift to 2nd. See if it actually changes gear. There is a "lockup on the torque converter' that can latch in and stop the engine, or bog it down as well. Obviously you need to read the codes on the vehicle as has been suggested. Idle speed motors go out regularly on all those year Chrysler products and are cheap and easy to change. Can often simply be cleaned and made to work for a bit longer after removing from the vehicle. Also don't forget that the "muffler" can clog up as well as the catalytic converter. Often folks change the converter and think that they have ruled out all exhaust problems. On 4 cylinder check the throttle body base gasket as well as can do that with spraying carb cleaner around the base with the engine running and see if it speed up or dies immediately when you hit a bad spot. Fuel pump is another possibility. They are easy as heck to change on those years if I remember as on bottom side of tank. Read the codes and then start checking the various systems using a manual you can check out from the local library. Saves buying one yourself. Hope you are able to find the troubles soon.
2006-12-30 13:10:37 · answer #2 · answered by mohavedesert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything everyone is telling you is just a guess, go to the big city and find a real mechanic that actually has diagnostic tools to work with that cost thousands of dollars and you will find the real problem, might be more expensive to take it there but you are going to have a fortune in parts that you don't need if you keep taking it to the back yard mechanics and a lot of unnecessary stress until you get it fixed right.
2006-12-30 12:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The radiator belt is not the problem. Could be ignition: cap,rotor,plugs,wires. (one other thing in the distributor cap that goes bad is the module) Mine went bad on my Corvette and had some of the same problems your car is having!! Other things it could be is fuel pump going bad or computer for car is on the blink. Hope some of this helps!!
2006-12-30 11:50:33 · answer #4 · answered by Donnie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably has a computer module and that may be bad.I had a 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage and the computer module went in that back in 1999 and it cost $600.good luck
2006-12-30 11:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Bellows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest having the oxygen[ O2] sensor checked they have to be changed "every so often" or the engine can act strangly
2006-12-30 11:50:25 · answer #6 · answered by shorty124 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you have a vacuum leak, all the symptoms are there
2006-12-30 12:17:17 · answer #7 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to a real technician instead of some backwards parts changer.
2006-12-30 11:45:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋