Chrysler Repair: 92 Dodge Spirit 2.5L stalls when stopping, dodge spirit, wd 40


Question
Roland my 92 Dodge Spirit with the 2.5L is still stalling when I slow to a stop.  Previously you suggested the lock up solenoid on the transmission had gone bad, I disconected it and after 200 miles of running great the car has started stalling our intermittently, both slowing from highway speed and while in parking lots.  I have replaced plugs and wires, cleaned the throttle body, checked timing several times, replace fuel filter, OT sensor, checked and cleaned distributor.  All vacume hoses look ok, it idles smooth in neutral and runs great otherwise.  I am wide open to suggestions.  My 16 yr old is driving it now, wish I could solve this problem.  Thanks again John

Answer
Hi John,
The two things I would look into are the presence of trouble codes stored in the engine controller and the egr valve.
For the codes: turn the ignition switch: 'on-off-on-0ff-on' and leave it on (doing this within a period of 5 seconds) and then watch the check engine light to begin to flash, pause, flash , pause, etc.  Count the number of flashes, then group them in pairs to form two-digit numbers. The last number will be 55 (two groups of 5 flashes each=end of code readout). Then tell me the other numbers.
The egr valve could be sticking ajar at idle which will stall the engine. You will find it on the front right side of the engine (near the firewall) and if you look at the "cage" on the top of the valve you will see a stem with a slot in it so that you can watch the stem of the valve move up and down as the engine is revved. Use a flat blade screwdriver to check the up and down motion of the stem. You could also spray some WD-40 on the stem to free up its motion so that it closes firmly when the engine rpm drop back toward idle. See if that eliminates the stalling.
Roland