QuestionQUESTION: My 91 Dodge Dynasty spits and sputters when I accelerate. It does not do it all the time. I changed the Idile Valve and it is still doing it. Sometimes when I come to a stop it will cut off. And when I take off i get the worst sputtering. However, it is not all the time. What should I change or check? Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi John,
Because you didn't tell me which engine and where the car was originally sold I can't be sure whether or not you have an egr valve. But if you have such a valve I would check to make sure that it is freely opening and closing tightly as a failure to close tightly when decelerating or at idle will cause the mixture to lean out and thus the engine dies or sputters.
Also, do a fault code readout using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave it on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to assure that you have the count correct. Then group the numbers in pairs in the order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault codes. Then write back with the results or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code translation.
Let me know if you can't find the egr or how to check it out but tell me the engine and original delivery location of the vehicle. If you find the egr you can improve the function by spraying WD-40 on the valve stem where it enters the body and move the stem back and forth by means of a screwdriver tip inserted in the slot of the valve stem.
Roland
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QUESTION: The car is a 91 Dodge Dynasty with a 3.3liter engine. When I followed the book I could not find an EGR valve. I bought the car in Washington State. However, it was a used car. There is a probability that the engine was deliver to Washington State. The fault code is 35 77 55. The car can run fine for short periods of time and then it will start sputtering whilr driving and it will take a long time to accelarate after stops. Than it can start running fine. Thanks for your help.
AnswerHi John,
According to the '91 manual the 3.3L engine does not have an egr unless it was sold in California. You could look at the underhood sticker and see whether an egr is shown on the vacuum hose diagram.
The codes are not relevant to missing. The 35 is about the fan relay circuit, and if your fans are working when you use the AC that is not an issue. The 77 was not actually a code yet in '91 so you might run the check again and note whether you overlooked a pause or two. In a '96 manual the 77 code refers to the cruise control relay circuits. The 55 means "end of code readout". So far now the car is not telling us anything that is helpful.
You may have an issue with mixture being improper, but the code criterion for its cause has not been met yet. I would keep checking for codes. Other than being able to predict when this is going to exhibit itself and having it at a shop at that time I can't suggest anything specific. You might take a look under the hood the next time this happens at night and see if you see arcing around the spark wires or the spark coil pack which would be a cause of missing on the ignition side of the equation.
Let me know if you learn something else about the situation.
Roland
