Chrysler Repair: Sebring stalled: new distributor + $1500, but check engine light on, service engine soon light, engine controller

Question
I have a 2000 Sebring convertible, 80,000 miles. Two months ago while driving on the freeway, the engine abrubtly stalled. I was able to get it started again after waiting about 15 minutes. The mechanic said it was the distributor. I had the unit replaced and two days later the same thing happened. I took it to the dealer and that mechanic said it was something different. $1500 later, the service engine soon light is on again. Should I just get rid of the car or could it be something easy.

Answer
Hi Marian,
You have had a hassle, for sure. You didn't mention what the dealer did with the $1500 so that makes it hard for me to know what has been replaced and what hasn't. The service engine light does not necessarily mean that the same problem (stalling) will occur again. There are about 200 or so reasons for the light to come on. My suggestion would be to go to an Autozone Parts store and request them to do a free readout of the engine controller memory to find out what fault it has recognized and thus caused the light to come on. Then get the number, the name, what part needs to be replaced, and its cost. Then let me know that and what else was done by the dealer so we can determine whether this is something misrepaired or something new, and what is the best way to go about correcting it. If you can't get the free readout then go to the first mechanic and ask him to do the readout, ideally at a cost of about $40 but don't authorize the repair unless it is very reasonable to do and the dealer wasn't supposed to have done that already in which case the dealer should redo the work. You might also get the code numbers by turning the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing this in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the speedometer to see if the mileage reading changes to show you a 4-digit number which would be the code. Not all the years are set to do this, but give that a try.
I wouldn't give up on the car with all the money already invested. You just need a fair shake which together we might be able to achieve.
Roland