QuestionQUESTION: I have a '96 Chrysler Sebring convertible and i believe there is something wrong with the transmission. It doesn't happen everytime, but when i accelerate hard from around 45 to 55 the car will start doing light jolts and then getting harder jolts as i keep accelerating. I let off the gas and lightly accelerate and the car will drive without the jolts. It will also do spurty little jolts when im sitting on the brake while the car is running. I've recently had a transmission flush done and the transmission seal replaced, the previous one was broke for a while and had a small leak. So far no other problems with the car.
ANSWER: Hi Shauna,
I would suggest a fault code readout for the possibility that either the engine or transmission controllers have sensed a problem and made a note of it in their memories. An Autozone parts store will often do it for free or an independent garage for about $40. Find out what 4-digit numbers are displayed and let me know.
The other thing would be to check (but only for only the engine fault codes) using your key. Turn it "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light which remains "on" to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then repeat it to be sure of an accurate set of counts. Let me know the flash counts in order of appearance. If nothing of interest comes out of that approach, then a reader will be necessary to access the transmission memory.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have yet to get a fault code readout. I called autozone and they only do check engine lights. I tried turning the key on and off sequence and the enging light flashed 5 times, paused, then flashed 5 times again and stopped. What does the number of flashes mean?
AnswerHi Shauna,
That double 5 means code 55, which just says there is nothing seen about there being an engine fault. But it says nothing about the transmission. I believe that Autozone gave you a faulty answer to your question. You would want to know if they will plug an OBD-II reader into you socket under the dash and read out the 4-digit fault codes (which would be for both engine AND transmission faults if any are present). You can tell them that you don't need a check engine light readout (which only gives you OBD-I codes, much less detailed than the OBD-II codes that they can get with a reader) and that is what you understand they will do for free. If not, then an independent shop is what you will need to go to.
Roland
