QuestionQUESTION: Hello-- I have an 03 Chrysler I'm Special 3.5L that here as of late been sputtering while coming to a stop and when I give it gas, It "bogs" down and not responsive to the pedal at all.
What I have done so far is Change the spark plugs which I had Bosch Platinums in before and I have NGK laser platinum in there now. There were no corrosion or burn out on the old plugs which is good. I had a check engine light so I went to autozone and the idiot reset the codes and check engine light before he could tell me what it was. He thought he saw a misfire on the portable machine but wasn't quite sure and the check engine light has not came back on since, but I'm still getting no power off and on with the sputtering. I grabbed a voltmeter to check if one of the coilpacks were faulty, but I'm new to this instrument also and not sure what the range is to know if one is bad or not. After reading/research it seems to be the coil packs that is giving me the problem.
Im also wondering about the ignition coil and where it is located on this car. I would like to check that also. I really need your help on this and any help is GREATLY APPRECIATED on what I need to do next.
ANSWER: What is an 'I'm Special'?
In any case, I would begin by checking the egr valve to be sure that its stem moves freely and closes tightly via spring-action. Put the tip of a screwdriver in the slot of the stem and move it back and forth after sprayind some WD-40 on the stem where it enter the body of the valve. If the valve is slightly ajar when you slow to a stop or idle, it leans the mixture too much to sustain the idle. Don't worry about the coil packs at this point until you do the egr.
Roland
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QUESTION: Roland-- Sorry for the "I'm Special"..lol. Anyhoot, I checked the egr and before I added WD-40 it moved freely. Seems like no problem with the egr. What can I check next before worrying about the coal packs?
Roger
ANSWER: Hi Roger
Since there is an Autozone parts store I would go back
for another free fault code readout. Let me know what 4-digit numbers come out. I would not start changing parts until that approach is utilized to help diagnose the problem. Any codes that you had will be back if you have driven the vehicle for several trips. Not all faults turn on the check engine light, so that absence is not important. Tell me which model of '03 Chrysler you have in case we need to deal with wiring issues.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi Roland.
It reared its ugly head again. On way to Autozone this
morning, i'm driving along and I lose acceleration. I push
on the gas and I get the sputtering and no responsiveness. I
put it in neutral, rev the rpm's and back to drive, and I
have my power back. It does this 3-4 times and when I get to
a light, the rpm's drop to about 400, the car is vibrating
and shuddering. When the light turns green, I give it gas
and it"bogs down" then lurches forward a few times. My check
engine light comes on and I get the autozone tech to check
it out. Its a p0340 code. He said some sensor but wasn't
familiar with it. HEEEELP!!!!
AnswerHi Roger,
The 0340 is the cam sensor. It is located on the timing belt cover above the left camshaft. You will need to loosen the upper intake manifold a bit to gain access to it. The manifold has 3 brackets at the front (both corners and in the middle) and two at the rear corners of the engine and then 7 bolts to loosen slightly (retorque to 105 inch-pounds clockwise from the middle engine-left bolt to start with). Lift the tab on the connector to release the wiring plug when you remove it.
When you put in the new sensor make sure the paper-covered tip comes in contact with the surface of the sprocket inside the cover and hold it there when tightening screw that holds it in place.
Roland
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