QuestionI have a very similiar problem as a previous submitter. My car will not start or kick in. Someone suggested that it was the timing belt. The dealer's mechanics said the following :
here is a synopsis of work to be performed and repairs needed replacement of the disributor,cap and rotor @ $1325 labor @ $315 also recommended due to the nature of repairs: spark plugs and wires changed, update the PCM (what is this?) and perform an emmission service;total @ $560
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* after considering all the proper maitenance that you have done with this vehicle, my technicinan states that you would be throwing away a very nice car. The vehicle in it's overall entirety is worth having repaired; the engine is in fantastic shape, and with continued proper maitenance should last you well into the future.
My car is a 1995 Chrysler Cirrus, 2.5L V6 with approx., 46,000 miles.
Is this the proper diagnosis?
Thanks,
Malcolm
AnswerHi Malcolm,
I am not clear as to which services and how much each, and what the total cost is estimated to be. My inclination would be to inquire specifically what the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has detected as to the fault codes numbers and ask them what those refer to and how much it will cost to repair each of those. I suspect that the PCM update is not necessary, and depending upon on age/condition you may not need distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, wires at all. If you have service records can you tell me which of those and the mileage at which any of these have been replaced.
If you have access to the car you can check for the trouble codes yourself:
There are a number of possible sensors that could be the cause of your problem. Fortunately there is an on-board system to detect problems with the sensors and list them specifically as a two-digit trouble code. To find out which sensor is giving you trouble just take your ignition key and turn the ignition switch 'on-off-on-off-on' within a period of seconds. Then watch the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL, located on the dash) to begin to flash and pause. Count the number of flashes between the pauses. There is a short pause between the flash groups that are the first and second digits of a code number, and a longer pause between the second digit of a code and the first digit of the next code number. Repeat the readout again to make sure have the counts and therefor the code numbers correct. If you can do this, verify the numbers that the mechanic said were bad. And let me know what they are.
I notice a comma between distributor and cap in your question. Did they also want to replace the distributor? That is unlikely to be worn out. Your engine only has 46,000 miles on it, and so I would expect there to be only one sensor that is giving the problem and it might cost you only $100-200 for a repair of that one. I am very suspicious of what they have told you. Please clarify the list and costs so I can understand this exactly.
Roland
