I have a 2004 Dodge Stratus with 71k miles. Last evening, I was on the expressway going around 60mph and I pressed the accelerator and I could not pick up speed. About a mile up the road, I was going 50mph uphill and I quickly pressed the accelerator and I could not pick up speed again and the check engine light began to flash. I quickly got of the expressway and the light stopped flashing. This morning I went to AutoZone and they ran a quick check on the car and no computer codes came up. Afterwards, I had the oil changed in the car...I got on a road with a steep hill; I was going 30mph and I pressed on the accelerator and I could not pick up speed. The check engine light began to flash and the car began to shutter, so I turned off the road into a parking lot and turned the car off. 1 min. later, I turned the car on and no problem. I have no idea what could be wrong with my car. The oil has been changed and I checked the transmission fluid, and the fluid level appears to be okay. The check engine light appears to come on when I quickly press the accelerator and I am going uphill. I hope nothing is wrong my transmission. Any ideas?

 

flashing cel is normally misfire/ignition

 

Thanks bad venge. I also tried pressing the accelerator while the car was in park and when I let off of the accelerator, the car began to shutter. The rpm fluctuated between 1000-2000 rpm, but the car never cut off. This time, the engine like did not flash.

 

Flashing SES/CEL is usually a bad sign... although usually they won't go away by themselves which makes it sort of weird. You probably shouldn't be driving it if it's flashing. I would say either cylinder misfire or low fuel pressure? Check the resistance of the wires with a multimeter.. see if the plugs are alright.. But most likely, get it looked at, that's what I would do (especially if you can get it to happen so that you can show them. It's hard to debug a problem if it's intermittent)

Sorry I can't be of more help

 

it can be as simple as a bad rotor or cap ...

 

Your timing is off.

 

i'm guessing it's an auto tranny, engine type? sounds like tranny bands maybe? does the engine rpms get higher or not?

 

If you keep driving it with the light flashing you run a large risk of doing dammage to your cat converter a flashing light means severe missfire which will cause a lack of power