Chrysler Repair: 2003 sebring 2.7L engine:knocks, independent auto repair, 4 digit numbers


Question
QUESTION: My car recently started knocking I have always used premium gas from bp I some times use lucas fuel injecter cleaner

ANSWER: Hi Anthony,

Do you mean 'pinging' when you step hard on the gas? Knocking usually is a lower thump from noise involving the cranskshaft and connecting rods.
In any case use your ignition key to get any fault codes stored in the engine controller:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the milesage reading changes to show 4-digit numbers prefixed with a  P. Let me know those and we'll go from there. If you don't get codes that way, go to Autozone parts store for a free code readout with a plug-in reader.

Roland

PS Please 'rate' my answer and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' please consider answering 'yes'. Thanks

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QUESTION: Hi roland thanks for the responds but unfourtunely I could not get through using the ignition codes I also tried auto zone but they said the check engine light has to be on for the plug in reader to work any help would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Anthony,
The Autozone people are wrong. There are codes, plenty of them, that don't turn 'on' the check engine light. Ask them to try. It they won't then ask around at independent auto repair shops where you should get them to do it for under $40. In the meantime, can you tell me more about what you mean by 'knocks'? What does it sound like, when does it do it? Is it definitely from the engine?
Roland
PS You can now 'rate' this answer and my previous answer, if you would be so kind. I accidentally had that option defeated, but now it is 'open for comments'.

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QUESTION: Hi roland I tried the ignition code and it said (done) the car starts knocking when. Its hot or going up a hill any suggesttion

Answer
Hi Anthony,
It may be that 'knock sensor' is not functioning, loose, or disconnected. It is located below the throttle body and bolted to the block in the space between the two cylinder heads. It has 2 wires, dark blue/light green and black/light blue. The former wire is attached to pin 25 at the pcm while the latter is at pin 43. So check the continuity and if that proves out then consider replacing the sensor. Make sure it it firmly attached to the block. That device is supposed to make adjustments to minimize knocking as needed. It could be failing and still not set a code.  
The compression ratio of this engine is 9.67 to 1 so you may want to go up one step in the octane rating of the gasoline you use. See if that eliminates the problem as well
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' please consider giving me a 'yes' vote. Thanks