QuestionQUESTION: Hi Russell, I have a 1996 Chrysler Sebring just about to turn 100,000 miles. Have taken pretty good care of it, regular oil changes, etc. About a year ago, I had problems with it not starting - it wasn't the battery... One mechanic finally found it was a fuse (I don't know which one, but could show you since I changed it so many times). So, he replaced, then gave me a spare. So, for a few months, I kept replacing this fuse (about every other start) then that stopped working every time. I found that if I would keep trying to turn the ignition, it would finally start... Sometimes going through several fuses though. My dad said something about it being a Solenoid (sp?)... so I took it back to my "regular" mechanic and sure enough that's what he "Fixed". I noticed though when I left the garage, that the Tachometer was idling funny when stopped at lights, etc. It normally idled around 1000, but since that time it's at about 500. NOW, for several months (or longer) it will almost cut off when stopping and once did cut off. Gradually over time it's gotten worse and worse and sometimes as I'm driving along, the tach will zoom up and down, sometimes the car will chug up hills, and in the last few days it's chugged when I start up after being stopped at a light. I have taken to this mechanic and he said "I don't think we can fix it??" but couldn't tell me what that meant. yes, I know I should probably find another mechanic... I am at my wits end... Can't really afford a new car, nor a new transmission (which seems like that might be what it is?)... This mechanic is very good at taking my suggestions (he fixed an oil sludge problem after I did some research to find out why the oil light kept coming on and there was plenty o' oil)... There is a transmission fluid leak also (my dad said if it's red, it transmission fluid) and several times either me or this mechanic has had to add some (the right stuff for Dodge cars - per my dad)...
So, I've been doing some research and evidently there's a transmission problem with all chrysler products (I love my car anyway) and several times I've seen the word solenoid mentioned, so this got me thinking, since the problem started after having a solenoid replaced (I'm pretty handy, but have no idea if a car has more than one solenoid) could this be where the problem is?
Sorry this is so long, but wanted you to have all the details. Many, many thanks in advance!!! Please let me know if you need even more details...
Again, thanks in advance for any advice!
Sherry
ANSWER: A couple of things struck me as I'm reading the description of your problems. You didn't mention if your car had any shifting problem nor did you mention if the CHECK ENGINE light was on at any time. There have been some problems with the solenoid packs on our vehicle but for the most part they involve leaks. The tach concern would not be related to the repair which your mechanic made unless he also made some sort of wiring repair in the engine wiring harness.
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QUESTION: Hi Russell - thanks for getting back with me so quickly. To answer a few questions, the check engine light doesn't come on at all and a few years ago, I had problems when first putting in reverse to back out of driveway, it wouldn't go after putting it in drive, but that only happened a few times and has not done it since. Sometimes, and more frequently now than before, when first starting the car, the tach and odometer aren't working, then after less than a few minutes, they roar to life...
Any other suggestions as to what I could ask a mechanic to look for??? In the meantime, I'll keep searching this site to see if others are having similar problems.
Again, many, many thanks for your advice!
Sherry
AnswerSince you don't appear to have a transmission problem, there is only one thing I van think of to check. I would have your mechanic take the instrument cluster out and check for a loose connections between the wiring harness and circuit board. He should also check for loose pins on the board itself.
