Here is my story. I have a 1997 Dodge Avenger 2.5 l V6 with 190k miles. Since I have owned this car (89K miles) I have replace brakes quite a few times, water pump, timing belt, tie rod ends, many tires, and general maitenance.About 2 months ago I was driving about 30 miles an hour in the rain coming back to work at lunchtime. My car stalled and would not start back up. engine was strong and would turn but not start. I had it towed to my gf stepdad who is a mechanic of sorts. He check plugs etc. said it wasnt firing maybe distributer etc. I searched and searched the internet and found people saying it could be the Idle Air Control so we changed that out and still nothing. ps the battery had bought from walmart was too tall and my post was just about gone. We towed it to dodge only for them to charge 68$ plus tax to tell me that there was no response from computer etc and they didnt say much except to start with replacing wiring harness, then TCM, PCM, distributers, etc. they said wiring harness would be about 500 by itself and then into the thousands for other things and then no guarantee it would be fixed, so we towed it back. Found a rear end wrecked same make model year avenger from a auto salvage. They sold us the wiring harness and TCM , PCM for 480 so we put all this on ourselves. also new battery with lower profile. Still would not start. So we went to another salvage yard and picked up a Distibuter for 25$ and put it in and it started, I was so happy but then I drove it. Started out okay but then it would downshift and sort of auto brake on me. Wouldnt get out of second gear sometimes. We read that this was the Transmission Limp mode. Also all fluids were okay,etc. read that the TCM and PCM might have needed to be reflashed etc. Took it back to Dodge Dealership and they charged me another 68$ to hook it up again. said the only code was coming up was ambient temperature stuck reading at 230 degrees and that wouldnt have anything to with it. I mention input speed sensor and they quoted me 103$ but said that code wasnt coming up and they really couldnt tell me anything to help. The also said they couldnt flash the computer and asked somethign about if i still had access to the one We got it from. I said no. So I went home and put my old TCM back in and drove it and had same problem, So then I put back in my old computer and had same problem. but at least now I might be able to sell the PCM and TCM that I bought thinking it was the problem of not starting. I now think it was wiring to the distributer and distributer itself. I was really upset that I took it to an authorized Dodge Dealer and they didnt help me either time. I drove it back home. I installed input speed sensor, and reset engine light by taking negative bat cable off. then drove it. still same problem, so then I installed new output sensor, and still same problem. took it to autozone to read codes. they mention Throttle Position Sensor, Speed sensor code again, and torque something and said that would prob have to do with TPS, also mention Gear Ratio problem which this guy says he hasnt seen on any other car readout before. So I take it back home and install Throttle Position Sensor and still same problem. So I spent another $100 today and feel like I havent gotten anywhere. If someone tells me to take it back to Dodge I will probably snap . I have read people taking there cars to AAMCO or Cottmans only to be told to replace transmission or Rebuild. I know my car had a slight leak before and only caused slight shifting problems before i filled it up and put stop leak in a long time ago. no shifting problems since and definately none before my car stalled on me 2 months ago. Please help me diagnose this problem I am already at about $1000 but at least now it runs and engine is very strong. Thanks again.



ps. i still get the ratcheting sound when putting it in gear. also have had plugs and wires replaced and air conditioning belt. car is also very whiny but heard this could be idle pulley bearings which we should have replaced when we did timing belt and water pump. also with current problem speedometer does flake out quite alot.

 

Holy crap, i have the same issue. Mine isn't as bad. My car will downshift when driving sometimes, but it will go away. It sometimes does it every other start. If the problem keeps getting worse, I reset the computer and it is good for a week. But it seems we have the same isuue, so keep posting on the progress, and I will as well.

ps, when it gets really bad, I get the 24 code also, it is the TPS code.

So we need help folks! Thanks.

 

Check the relays on the firewall..those would be my next step, well, rather first. There's an ATX relay there too. You can buy relays from Radio Shack and the ones from Radio Shack differ than the ones on the firewall, but don't worry, they work.

 

you mean the three big ones together (dont know what these are) but they are attached to a peice of metal with two 10mm bolts. on the firewall above my battery or the small 12v relays in the main fuse box along with radio fuses, horn, etc.? thanks.

 

Wow!!! freaking amazing. I replaced those 3 relays that are together on the firewall and everything works great now. Thanks it has been 3 days!!!

 

Oh wow, sorry I missed this bro. Yes, it's the relays on the firewall, I see that you got it though, good deal.

 

thanks, could you tell me what each of these are from left to right in this group of three? thanks,

 

Fuel pump Relay, ASD, EATX relay in that order.

 

I can't believe the dealership missed those.

 

I'm going to the yard and picking me up the relays, or radio shack.

Good news for you though, and we have the same exat problem. I'll keep you posted.