Chrysler Repair: 2003 PT Cruiser stalling and hesitating, exhaust gas recirculation valve, 4 digit numbers

Question
QUESTION: Hi Keven:

I have a 2003 PT Cruiser 2.4 liter manual trans with 70k on it. Recently it started stalling when I take my foot off the gas and stumbling and hesitating on acceleration. There are no check engine lights on.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Anthony

ANSWER: Hi Anthony,
Even though the check engine light is not illuminated there may be a trouble code stored in the memory of the engine controller. Use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch to odometer window to see the mileage reading change to show 4-digit numbers preceded by a P. Let me know the numbers and we'll go from there.
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay, but my computer failed recently.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Roland:
I did as you suggested.
The odometer read "donE"
No p No number.
Then it switched to the milage
Anthony

Answer
Hi Anthony,
In the absence of any codes and the stalling occuring when you take your foot off the gas or accelerate, my thought is that your egr valve is hanging up slightly ajar instead of closing under those two circumstances. Let me share the answer I just gave on the same subject which is applicable to you 2.4L engine as well:
"When I see stalling while underway, with no codes, my first thought is that your exhaust gas recirculation valve has a 'sticky' action which is causing it to hang-up ajar insteead of closing tightly when you let up on the gas pedal. That causes a too lean mixture to sustain an idle. So look for the egr valve near the intake throttle body assembly (underneath it) which is mounted in a small diameter metal pipe that runs from the right side (if a V-6 engine) exhaust manifold toward the rear of the engine.  It has a round vacuum-operated top piece, a flange, and then the body of the valve mounted into the pipe. Inside the flange you will see a slotted rod which is the valve stem. If you put a screwdriver tip in the slot you can move the stem back and forth, against spring action in one direction that tries to close the valve. It should close to a dead-stop via the spring action. If not, then spray some WD-40 on the stem where it enters the valve body and move the stem back and forth with the screwdriver to loosen up the 'action'. That should solve the problem."
You only have one exhaust manifold so look for the small diameter pipe that branches off from it and you will trace it to the egr valve.
Roland