Top 20 1997 Dodge Stratus Questions & Answers

sounds more like your brian on its way out

Any rattles that come from an engine are not a good thing. This is most likely a catastrophic failure of a component like connecting rod, piston, valve rocker etc. Time for a new engine .

Did you clean throttle body?can you bring up rpm?

The automatic shutdown (ASD) relay will turn off power to the coil(s) and fuel injectors if the PCM is not receiving a signal from the crankshaft position sensor. You can check the ASD relay, but the problem is almost always a crankshaft position sensor or the wiring/connectors between the PCM and that sensor.

Check crankshaft sensor.

code p 0123 has several references throttle position (TP) sensor A/accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor A--high input ===causes wiring short to positive -- TP/APP sensor or switch --ECM also refers to TP/APP --low input==causes wiring short to ground ---TP/APP switch---ECM with code P040 , I feel that you are missing the last digit or letter code p0400 > p 0409 all refer to EGR system problems and p 040A >F again refer to EGR system problems take it to an accredited service center with experience on your make of car and have it properly diagnosed

Without wire colors and schematics. It is hard to start anywhere. You need them. You need an OHM/VOLT meter also. Alldata and Mitchel have good wiring schematics. You get the stuff you need and post schematics, I will walk you though to fix them.

Low octane fuel, use a higher octane fuel. Low fuel pressure, check fuel pressure. If low replace filter, fuel pump or pressure regulator. Vacuum leak, check inlet manifold for air leaks and broken or cracked hoses.

Fuel pump works till pressure is reached, then stops till more"pressure" is called for. I'd guess there is a different problem. How's you Battery and or connections? Can you "Jump" to start? What happens then? If the battery is flat but jump starts and then stalls after you remove jumper cable, you probably have charging system problems. Take it to Auto parts store if you can get there. Usually they will check the battery and the charging system. Ask them to read the error codes too. There may be other issues. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hello Joe Romero, I would like to help you, if you haven't already been helped...first I need to know a bit more on your Stratus...particularly the engine...there are three diffferent : 4 Cylinders C 2.0L MFI, 4 Cylinders X 2.4L SFI DOHC, 6 Cylinders H 2.5L MFI. I'm thinking you have the 6 Cylinder engine since you mentioned distributor...unfortunately, distributor assembly must be replaced in that particular situation.

if there is no visible switch which the door pushes against then the problem probably is the door latch switch remove panel with window down look for screws holding it on then pull it off just be careful and watch what your doing may have to swivel to get past inner door latch if manual window C clip behind crank need a small hook. window up look at door latch should be a plug unplug it see what happens.

ck comprecion on that cylinder ad posible you need injector

Hi Fred Jesse, There are a number of things that you can do to diagnose your situation. Just to make sure, you said you changed the fuse...correct ? Do you have a multimeter and knowledge of how to use one ? Sometimes fuses look like they may be good but, the link itself may be broken where it is not visible. A quick continuity check of the fuse can determine if it is good. If it checks out good(while not installed), then we can proceed to the next steps.

No way the radio can draw that much power even when it is left on. Check the trunk light. On some models the back seat will fold down. Also disconnect the negative battery terminal. Touch it to the post and listen for a relay click, If one clicks find what it runs.

This could have several problems. #1 Fuel pressure due freezing water in fuel lines add thermal aid or rubbing alcohol . If you have access to a pressure gauge there is a service fitting on fuel rail that you can test pressure while driving and see if the pressure is gone when car dies this could lead to fuel pump electrical or more restricted lines. #2 intermittent sensor failure Mopar uses 2 sensors to control spark and fuel lose one could lose spark lose the other lose injection with a scanner they call it C/C sync ok (cam/crank) if no then check for each parameters for display.# 3 relay controls ASD and FUEL pump for voltage drops.

The belt tensioner is a spring loaded plunger mounted at the 8 o'clock position from the passengers side facing the engine. remove it to loosen the belt. to reset the tensioner compress it in a vise,put a pin in the hole through the plunger and sleeve when it is aligned. When you are ready to tighten.the belt pull the pin out.

Hi Mountean, I'm glad to help. If you are referring to the hydraulic tensioner then here's how to reset the tensioner before installing. first, on the end of the tension you'll notice a hole, as well as on the pin coming out of the tensioner. These two holes are to hole the tensioner in the locked position. Here's how to set it, put the tensioner in a vise and press it until both of the holes line-up, then you'll need a lock pin to hold it. You push this pin through both holes to lock it. Then you put it on the engine and tighten it down with all your timing in place, then pull the pin out and it will tension your belt properly. Hope this helps and have an awesome day Mountean.

This is an anti-theft feature. Check with your local dealership, or call Dodge about the code. If you bought the car new, the code maybe with the original paperwork. Not sure if there is a charge to get the code.

There are several causes for this, including the above. Check the spark plugs and coils/wires. Lose or worn parts can cause this. If the spark plugs have thick black residue, you have an oil leak. A flat black powdery residue is too much air. A thick crusty white/yellowish residue would be a coolant leak. If it is blowing blue or white smoke when running, the you have an oil (blue) coolant (white) leak that needs to be fixed. Normal smoke is grayish in color. Check all the vacuum lines as a leak may be the problem.

If you have anti-lock brakes you should have extra brake lines and a pump in front of the master cylinder.