Chrysler Repair: 1987 Dodge: poor idle, dies, exhaust gas recirculation valve, exhaust gas recirculation

Question
Hi Ronald,
I have a 1987 dodge aries which is still in great shape but recently it has been idleling poorly (it sounds like it's missing)and sometimes it just stops, the right signal somethimes works, sometimes doesn't, sometimes while driving the the car just powers off and the "power off" button comes on. So far, I have been able to restart the car after it stalls but I wouldn't want that to happen on a busy highway! Just recently, the am radio/clock doesn't work. It's just sounds like static. Can you help? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Alex

Answer
Hi Alex,
Have you tried to get fault codes that may be stored in the engine computer? Use the ignition key: "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the power loss light which remains "on" to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then repeat to assure an accurate count. Then combine the counts in pairs to form the two digit fault codes. The last one will always be 55 because that is the one for "end of readout". Then either write back or go www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code listing.
Otherwise the exhaust gas recirculation valve may be sticking ajar as a cause of the poor idle and die off. It is located in the pipe that connects from the exhaust manifold to the throttle body, behind the engine (I assume you have a 2.2L fuel injected engine, otherwise let me know) and at the front corner of the engine on the passenger side of the car. You will see a flange in between the body of the valve and its round top, and inside the flange is a rod with a slot into which you can insert the tip of a screwdriver. Try moving the rod back and forth to make sure it moves freely and closes by the help of spring-action to a dead stop. If it is not closing by itself then spray some WD-40 where the stem enters the body of the valve and work it back and forth some more. That could solve this problem.
The turn signal probably is a loose bulb at the front or the back so check that out. The radio could just be a disconnected antenna lead, either at the radio or the antenna itself.
Roland