Chrysler Repair: 95 LH 3.5 Engine stalls, chrysler lhs, throttle plate
QuestionI have a 95 Chrysler LHS with the 3.5L engine. I just purchased this car a month ago so I do not know it's history. When I come to a stop at traffic lights, the car acts like it wants to die and occasionally does. The RPM's drop to about 600 and sometimes it dies. Also, when I shift from park to drive, it stutters like it wants to die and occasionaly it will die. The check engine light is not on and I receive no codes except for 55. When I cut on the AC, it really runs rough and idle remains at 600 rpm's or less before it dies. I do not know if this is related but the transmission also shifts a little rough at times. The oil was overfilled when I got the car and I just changed the oil so it is at the correct level. I just changed the spark plugsand PCV valve a few days ago and that did not correct the problem. The hose leading to the PCV valve felt really soft so I plan on changing that today. Could that be the problem? The car has 152,000 miles on it. Please help!
AnswerStart by cleaning out the throttle bodies. The throttle plate has a small amount of air it's supposed to let through to help idle as well as a motor which opens and closes a passage way which again, helps with idle. Turning on the a/c and turning the steering wheel create an extra load on the engine. This motor (idle air control motor) is designed to allow enough air to bypass the throttle plates and keep the idle up.
On your vehicle, as you saw the ruber hose on the backside is collapsed. This kind of says to me there's been a lack of maintenance done and the chances of extra gunk in the throttle passage to build up. This can lead to starvation for air at the throttle bodies at idle conditions. Cleaning the throttle bodies with a tooth brush and carb/throttle body cleaner will help let the engine breath better.
There's a few other things such as blown intake gaskets that can cause irratic idle but I'd start cheap and clean the throttle body first.
Doug
