Chrysler Repair: exhaust, chrysler sebring coupe, catalytic convertor

Question
Hello

I have a 1996 Chrysler Sebring coupe, 4cyl 2.0 ltr with around 93k miles on it (note: I love this car and have had it since 1998 LOL) It has been running rough lately when sitting in gear like at a stop light...almost seems as if it will die, but it doesn't. It also runs very rough when I first start it, but then smooths out for awhile. Now I am also noticing the exhaust smells terrible. It isn't smoking, but it seems as if there's too much of it or it's too "raw" maybe.  I was hoping the check engine light would come on so we could find out what is wrong, but it hasn't, and I am becoming concerned I will end up stranded somewhere. The temp, oil pressure, charging system and such are good, plugs and wires only a year old, this car has been extremely well maintained it's whole "life". (I hope that's enough info)
We are thinking it's a sensor issue of some kind ... ?

thanks for your advice !

Answer
It sounds like the catalytic convertor MIGHT be stopped up.  Does it rattle or make any noise at idle?

Also, that exhaust manifold has been known to crack.  There is a metal heat sheild covering it.  You'll have to remove it (3-4 10mm head bolts) in order to check the manifold for cracks.

Also, the plugs you put in this car should ONLY be NGK or Champions.  No platinums, no autolites or iridiums.  Check to make sure you don't have oil in the spark plug wells too.  They like to leak oil in there and will soak the spark plug boots.  When this happens your ignition spark will jump through the oil and never even make it to the combustion chamber.  

Finally, there are scan tools capable of reading the computers data that can lead to diagnosing your problem.  The computer has a baseline programming in it from the factory.  Driver habit, elevation and simple things like ambient temperature and humidity can all cause corrections to this base-line programming.  A scan tool can look at these and see what is moderately adjusted for those conditions and what's out of wack trying to correct your car's actual problem.  Bottom line is just because there's no code that doesn't mean you don't have a problem that someone can find with a scan tool.

If your catalytic convertor is bad it's relatively easy to replace and you MIGHT be able to get one from the salvage yard or Ebay.  The engine you have is the same as what's found in the NON-TURBO 2.0L 95-99 eclipse as well so you have additional avenues for finding parts.

You may want to do some research on 2gnt.com and DSMTuners.com.  Both sites cater to the mitsubishi cars that are similar to your coupe.  Most people won't admit it but your sebring coupe is nearly identical to an eclipse.  Search there, look me up as Doug99RS on either site and also keep me posted here.
Doug