Chrysler Repair: 97 2.5L V-6: dies at idle/hard to start, throttle position sensor, screwdriver blade

Question
my 97 Chrysler sebring keeps dying at idle. You also have to press the gas pedal to start it, and when it does start it idles up for a second and then idles real low, rough, and then dies. When you are driving it and the rpms get low it dies. We replace the throttle position sensor and the map sensor and did not fix it. I checked the converter also. I just bought the car so I don't know anything about it. So if you have any ideas that would be great! Thanks

Answer
Hi Shannon,
This situation reminds me of an issue which is often overlooked: the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve and its proper functioning. It will often act up without sitting a fault code so mechanics will not look at it. It is something you can check yourself.
The poor idle and need to use the pedal to start usually means the EGR valve is stuck, most likely ajar. So you need to try and get it freed up and moving again so that it will be closed when the engine is shut down, otherwise it will be difficult to start and to idle.
The first thing I would do is check the mechanical function of the egr valve which is located along a small pipe that runs from the left exhaust manifold (on the side of the engine facing the front of the car) to the intake manifold area (where the incoming air in the large rubber tube enters the throttle). That valve is metal and has a round fitting with a vacuum hose attached, mounted on the top of the valve, and the round part is attached to the main body of the valve (which is mounted in the pipe) by a sort of saddle.  Inside the open saddle you will see a metal rod (with a slot) that connects the round top fitting to to the valve body. That rod is a stem on the valve and it is supposed to go in and out in response to the engine vacuum which varies with RPM and throttle opening (gas pedal position). Take a spray can of WD-40 or other penetrating lubricant and spray the stem where it enters the valve body and then use a regular screwdriver blade tip inserted in the slot to lever the valve in and out to try and free up its motion. If the valve seems to open (against the action of a spring) and close firmly by the spring-action when using the screwdriver blade to facilitate the motion, then you should be able to now start the engine and idle it normally. You can, once it is idling, check that the valve stem moves when you rev the engine from idle to 2500 rpm and back to idle. If it still won't start, then removing and cleaning the interior of the valve, or buying a new one if it seems too crudy and corroded inside, is the next step to getting the engine to idle properly.
But I expect that just getting the stem moving and shutting tightly will solve this problem.
Roland