92 3.0 v6 Lebaron lurching...

[danman1453]

I have a 92 Chrysler Lebaron 4 door. I replaced the plugs, TPS, fuel filter, plug wires, and have checked for leaking vacuum lines.

When the engine is cold, it runs absolutely great! After about 20 mins of driving however, it "stutters" sometimes. And only above 45 mph. It seems like something is failing only when it is hot. I guess a more accurate description of the symptom is it "lurches." If I press a little harder on the gas, it pushes me in the seat and takes off. But if I hold the pedal steady, it will keep dropping in speed. Like either the spark/fuel has stopped, or it's starving for air. I have replaced the air filter also. I am going to replace the ground wire I think the ECU uses today, and see if that helps. It is heavily oxidized and corroding. The only trouble code the ECU gave was a power disconnect in the last 50 turn-ons.

Any other suggestions?

[danman1453]

Well, I got it... I have always checked the transmission fluid level when the engine was "warm" instead of "hot." Apparently, the lower holes on the dipstick aren't really accurate. I checked the fluid level after driving for a while with the engine at full operating temp. I filled the fluid to the upper "hot" hole and the problems went away. This whole time, the fluid level has been above the "fill" hole, I figured it said fill for a reason.

Anyways, I guess this means that when someone asks if you have checked your fluids, you should double check anyways.

Also, I never took into account the slope of the driveway when checking the fluid...


Moral of this story... stand back for a minute and think. Don't be quick to move on because you think the problem's solution can't be the obvious.