Chrysler Repair: 99 Sebringwith automatic trans:harsh engagement, torque converter clutch, 4 digits

Question
QUESTION: My car is hard to start and once it is running it seams ok to just idle at 800rpm.  I can place it in reverse and it will do fine but once you put it in drive it starts to miss and dies.  The fuel pump is good and the filter new.  I had Meineke change the plugs, wires, cap and rotor along with a fuel injector cleaning.  I just do not understand why it runs in reverse but not drive.  

The engine is hard to fire.  Not sure what transmission but it is an automatic.  How do you check the MAP sensor to see if it is it.  I do know it ran worse with the MAP unplugged once running.  Could spark plug type and gap be an issue with this as well?  Thanks




ANSWER: Hi Stephen,
I can't identify a difference between reverse and drive that would affect the engine function. I would nonetheless suggest that you have the engine and trans contollers read out for fault codes. You can often get this for free at Autozone parts stores or for around $40 at an independent shop. The codes begin with P, followed by 4 digits. Ask for the numbers, what they mean, what they recommend and how much?
Write back and tell me the results and we can compare that to the manual and see if they would be applicable to your problem.
Let me know the engine size. About the only item that might be involved in a die off of the engine in one direction and not the other is if for some reason the torque converter clutch lock-up function was erroneously called into play. That would cause a die out for sure. There is a solenoid and a valve that performs that function and it can be repaired without removal of the transmission. But without observing the effect I can't diagnose that.
Roland

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QUESTION: It has the 2.5l engine in it.  Is there a way for me to check if the toruqe converter is locking up and does the ECU controll this?

Answer
The readout of the trans controller for a fault code would tell you that. A "harsh" engagement when shifting into drive would be how it is described. Also another indication would be, if you could get the vehicle moving up to 45 mph+, road speed, then when you slowed down a similar lag to disengage the converter lock-up would occur around 1000 rpm and the engine might die when you slowed down further to below normal idle rpm.
Roland