My 1996 Dodge Stratus was stolen and now won't start. What could be the problem?
My 1996 Dodge Stratus was stolen and found 3 days later. The ignition was ripped out but there wasn't any other noticable damage. It was obvious that the car died on the thief/thieves because the wiper blades are in the middle of the window. Before the theft it started without fail in the seven years that I've had it. I tried to jumpstart it but it won't start. What could be the problem?
Check the fuel shutoff valve. to see if it is on. press the reset button to do this. if it stays on. The answer could be pinched wires (a short) from the fuse wiring back towards the shutoff valve. if the valve shuts off try checking for current with a test light. if no current . The valve is bad. it seems like a short or open circuit on the fuel system wiring.
Consider the complexity of your car before beginning and take your car to a trusted repair shop. Modern cars (mid-nineties or later) are extremely computer controlled, and it will be difficult for you to make any adjustments. You will want to take it into the shop to address this problem.
The stall is likely caused by either a problem in the electrical system or in the fuel system. Your engine stops running because it is not igniting gas in the cylinders, this occurs either because there isn't gas to ignite, or because it lacks the electrical charge to ignite it.
Drive the car up and down steep hills. Does this change the performance of the engine, or cause it to stall? This might indicate a clogged fuel filter. Replacing the fuel filter is relatively cheap and easy once you find out where it's located.
Does the car idle roughly and stall when at idle? If your car has a distributor, you may need to adjust the timing. With the right tools and know how, this is an easy and free task. If your vehicle has fuel injection, you can check the injector by using a screw driver or mechanics scope. The injectors will make a clicking/snapping sound if working. No sound would indicate a bad injector available at most DIY auto parts stores. Also check the ICM, idle control motor that controls the air mixture.
If your car has a distributor, you might consider changing the cap, rotor, wires and plugs. This is effectively a tune up. This can usually be done even by a relative novice to car repair, and take a couple of hours with the right tools. It seems counterintuitive, but even the wires and distributor decay over time, and transmit less electricity. This tune up may solve your stalling problem -- even if not, your car should run better and get better mileage.
If your car diesels when you turn off the ignition, it often signals the need to replace the spark plugs. Dieseling describes the situation where you turn off the key, yet the car continues to run for a few seconds or longer, eventually sputtering to a stop.
In rare cases, your car may stall due to what is commonly called a "vapor lock". It is actually a vacuum in the fuel line that causes fuel to eventually stop reaching the engine. Try opening your gas cap. If you hear a "whooshing" sound, like when you open a can of coffee, it's vapor lock. Now try starting the car. It should work after a couple tries. This is usually found only in older cars. If you have it, this will probably happen again, so your fuel line should be checked for blockage. A cheap fix is to drill a small hole in your gas cap to allow air in and prevent the vacuum from forming, but it should not be left this way.
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1996 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L 2429cc 148cid L4 MFI (X) [EDZ] DOHC : Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Compressor Bypass PulleyWiki
Price
DORMAN Part # 34227
$30.79
This was found at rockauto.com. this will take the place of the AC compressor and allow the use of the original serpentine belt.
For the 1996 Dodge Stratus: I do not know if you have the 2.0L SOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder, or the 2.4L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder or the 2.5L SOHC V6; however I have included all three below...
For the 2.0L SOHC AND 2.4L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder: Firing Order: 1-3-4-2 Cylinders: ..........(back)......... |...1....2....3....4...| .........(front) Ignition Coil: .....................o <---4 1---> o .....................O <---Connector 2---> o .....................o <---3
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