94 Shadow various....

Hey guys, I have a 1994 Dodge Shadow with a Chrysler V6, Auto tranny. I have a few problems that have been around for a while and most of the time I can't afford to get her checke out. So, when I do bring her in, I'd like to have an idea of what's wrong with her so I don't get ripped off. Here are some symptoms.

1. Driving along in the city, I will come to a light or sign and just before I come to a complete stop, the engine will shudder, sometimes stall. This is not a consistent problem, and sometimes it seems like it depends upon how I stop.

2. Again, driving in the city, come to a stop. When I accelerate the transmission will be stuck in first gear. It will not shift unless I turn off the car and turn it back on. Again, this doesn't happen all the time and doesn't seem to be related to the above problem, as they don't always happen at the same time.

3. Mostly when I first start up the car after it has sat for a while, when I first step on the gas, there is this popping sound. It will pop 3 or 4 times before accelerating. From inside he car, it sounds like popcorn being popped on the engine.

In general she idles rough and I think she's just starting to show her age. I have replaced rotor, cap, and wires myself, changed oil, air filter, oil filter. Recently the radiator was replaced. Starter motor was replaced 2 years ago. She leaks a little bit. I have to stay on top of the tranny fluid, the oil a little bit. I know she probably needs gaskets replaced all over. The belt for the compressor came off a couple of years ago, but the AC didn't work anyway, so I haven't done anything with that. Serpentine belt used to pop off in the rain, but I replaced it and now it's fine. I've read through the manual and suspect what the cause of some of the above problems are, but I'd really like some confirmation.

the first problem sounds like an EGR valve that sticking open; if that were the case, does your check engine light come on? Second, the transmission get stuck in second gear is because it's in "limp mode" where there's an electrical fault in the transmission electronics. On most Chrysler A-604s, it's the output speed sensor. The "popping" sound could be a misfire or backfire in the engine. Try getting a fuel system cleaner and see what happens.

Thanks!

Actually, I checked the error codes and 32, the EGR, does flash. As for the transmission thing, I have suspected that it was possibly electrical. Any idea how much something like those two usually run?

well, if it's a speed sensor, they're only $10, and not hard to replace. Best bet is to go to a shop that has a scanner that can hook up to the TCM to tell you what the problem is.