QuestionQUESTION: My 1995 Chysler Sebring LXI is chugging sometimes when i come to a light. After driving for ten to fifteen minutes the engine light comes on, Do you now anything that could help?
ANSWER: HI Corie,
I assume you have the V-6 engine, if not then tell me that you have the 4 cyl.
Because the check engine light comes on, that means there is a two-digit fault code stored in the engine computer. To get it you simply turn the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in an elapsed time of 5 seconds or less. Then watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to start to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat the process to make sure you have an accurate set of flash counts. The last two sets of counts will always be 5 in each. Then let me know the flash counts in the order of appearance and we'll go from there.
Also, please describe more about what you mean by 'chugging'. Do you mean that the idle is slow and uneven? If that is so, then you might do well to check the egr valve to make sure that its stem is moving freely, against spring-action in one direction, when you move it means of a screwdriver inserted in the slot of the valve stem. If it is not closing firmly to dead stop by means of the spring-action, then spray some WD-40 on the stem of the valve where it enters the valve body and work it back and forth some more with the screwdriver to loosen up the action. he valve is mounted in a small pipe from the front exhaust manifold that is routed toward the throttle body, just below the oil filler cap. It has a round top with a vacuum hose, and between that ant the body of the valve in the pipe you will see a flange. Inside that flange is where you will find the valve stem.
Roland
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QUESTION: yes it is V6 and it flashes 1 2 2 1 5 5 and the chugging happens at stop lights and when in park sometimes. it is hard to explain. Thanks Corie
AnswerHi Corrie,
The 12 code means the battery has been disconnected recently from the system (last 50-100 key cycles) so that is usually ignored unless it is not the case. The 55 code means "end of readout".
The 21 code means that one or both of the upstream heated oxygen sensors is not working properly. I would begin with the upstream one which is mounted on the exhaust manifold on the side closer to the front of the car. Check to see if you have continuity between pins 3 and 4 on the sensor (the ones that are opposite (further from) from the notched side of the the connector). If so, then the heater part is OK, and if not then it is defective. If it is OK, put the plug back on and warm up the engine and in the meantime put pins into the other two wires at the plug (these are the white/black and black/green wires) so that the pins pass through the insulation and contact the inner conductor. Then with the engine running measure the voltage between the two pins while you alternately idle and race the engine. The volatage should vary from 0.5 to 1.0V. If not, then the sensor is defective. If that sensor passes, then check the sensor mounted on the rear exhaust manifold. Also, inspect the wire harnesses to both sensore to make sure there is no damage/melting of the wire insulation on either harness. Such a code may well affect the idle. Also you can check the exhaust gas recirculation valve (egr) to make sure that its stem moves easily back and forth via spring action in one direstion which tries to close it to a dead stop. Roland
