2004 Dodge Stratus 2.4L DOHC, Vin 'X' Sedan Symptoms: For several weeks engine running well but seemed to idle a little low, such that when accelerating from a stop, the engine would need a second to 'rattle' then quickly recover. Last week it didn't 'recover' resulting in a major power loss and engine misfiring but was able to drive home and then to a location a few miles away to work on it. It would start reliably.
THEN Did this: New coil pack, plugs, plug wire like new (tested for continuity), crank positions sensor, cam position sensor, checked wire harness for burns and opens, checked cam/crank positions are correct and belt is healthy, compression about 180. Ground wire to battery removed when replacing Crank Sensor because the starter had to be removed.
NEW symptoms: Engine wouldn't start but was on the verge. So put the old plugs back in then after several tries and an accumulated many minutes of cranking, engine started, but wouldn't idle, ran rough at lower RPM.
THEN did this: Used a Noid Light and see that all 4 injectors fire while cranking the engine to start, but #1 and #4 drop out once the engine is running. Also no spark on #1 and #4 plugs (but didn't check while cranking, only while engine was running.) Engine won't idle below 1000 RPM. Also re-seated all the connectors to the ECU/PCM/ECM, relays, and fuses.
Conclusions jumped to: 1.) Wire harness from PCM to noids okay else wouldn't fire during cranking. 2.) Wire harness from (PCM?) to coil pack may have an open (will check). 3.) If 2. okay, then PCM needs replacing.
Please help? I am not sure what to do next. Am not a mechanic.
33.7k questions
32.5k answers
1.3k comments
23.0k users