Hey all, First post!
I have been having some troubles with my 96 Intrepid. About 8 months ago i ran over (or should I say into) a really bad pothole. My tire went flat and ever since then my car has been making this awful creaking/squeaking noise whenever I go over even the slightest bump. I talked to a mechanic at Procare and he said that he figured it was my Rear Stabilizer. I have no idea how much this would cost but I need to know if I have to get this fixed or if I can wait till later. Like I said I've already gone 8 months with it. The only problem is my tires are wearing out a little faster than normal. I'm wondering if my alignment is all out of whack because of the stabilizer.

Problem two. My engine light popped on about a month ago and I took it into get my state inspection done. They denied it the tag because of the light and wanted to charge me 60$ to run a diagnostic test to see what was causing it. I figured i could do it myself and was wondering if someone could tell me how to check the codes and where I can find a list of the Code #'s. I've seen them before but now I can't find them online. My dad thinks it's the O2 Sensor btu I want to find out for sure. Also, is there a way to clear out the light when i fix the problem.

And one more thing. My car has been losing a good bit of HP recently, and the gas pedal will stick randomly when i first push on it. It's not a big problem I just have to feather touch it otherwise my car will lurch. This is a pain in Rush hour traffic wich I am in every day.

I hope someone can help me out here. Thanks

 

My first Post too, almost scary, we have dang near the same problem:

I've got a 1996 Dodge Intrepid with 103,000 miles on it. I've had the car for the past couple years, so I don't know what all has happened with the rear end before I purchased it. I replaced the trailing arm on the rear passenger-side wheel 4 months ago. About a month ago, it began making a "click-clunk" sound from what seems like the rear passenger wheel whenever I go over a bump in the road. It almost sounds as if something has broken loose. The problem started shortly after the tire on that wheel went flat. I drove on the flat tire for somewhere around a mile before realizing that it had gone flat (it was in the middle of a blizzard.) and then had it patched. The noise doesn't seem to be getting any better or any worse since it started. Is this something I need to get taken care of immidiately?

 

Is it the front or rear tire that hit the pot hole?

I am sure that it needs an alignment after that, especially since it's wearing the tire out faster.

The PCM, a.k.a.computer, has a built in self check set-up. Turn the key to the on position(not start) then back to the off position. Repeat this 3 times leaving it in the on position on the 3rd time. You will now watch your check engine light. After it goes out it will now flash a series of two digit numbers. Example:flash,flash,pause,flash,flash,flash.=23. It may give multiple codes depending on what all is wrong. There will also be a pause in between each set of two digit code numbers. When it flashes the code 55 that means the system check is done. After you get the two digit code numbers call a Dodge dealership and ask for the service department and tell them what car and motor and it is giving you the codes (whatever they may be) and ask them what they are. They will look up the codes and tell you what they are. These codes tell you that there is a problem in that circuit. Example: if they tell you it's an oxygen sensor it doesn't necessarily mean it is the oxygen sensor itself. It means that that circuit has fallen out of the acceptable parameters for that circuit(it means it could be the wiring to or from the sensor and not necessarily the sensor itself). Most likely though it is the component/sensor and not the wiring to and/or from. This works with most all Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth's made in the past 20 years.

The power loss could be caused by the same thing that has your check engine light on, start with that and then go from there. I hope this info will be of help to you.

 

Thanks RoadRunner. It was the front tire that hit it head on and then I ran through it with the side of my tire when it passed by. I'm going to check that out tonight and find out for sure what it is. Hopefully I can get my car up and running well.

 

Not a problem.[sm=smiley2.gif]Be sure to give us an update on what you find out.

 

Well, time to update. I'll admit I've been lazy about this but I finally figured out what the problem with the check engine light was. It was the O2 sensor after the catalyst. I'm getting that fixed as I am typing this. now the only problems I have with the car is the clunking noise in the rear of the car and a new one that surfaced a few weeks ago. It seems to be a common problem among Intrepids of similar years. Whenever I am lightly braking and get around 10-15 mph the car will feel like it is stalling and then lurch foward. This also happens sometimes when I am accelerating from abouit the same speed. it can also happen at highers speeds as well just not as often. if anyone can help me out with what this problem is and if there is any way to fix it. I haven't been able to find anything about how to fix it online just a bunch of people who have the same problem.
Unfortunately I am looking to sell the car in the next few months and I want it to be in tip top shape so I can get a good price on it. I know a lot of people here are going to yell at me for this but I am looking at a '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I just need something with a bit more power. If anyone can help me out on this problem I would appreciate it greatly. Thankyou