Hello,

I have a 2004 Stratus with like 38,000 miles. I know really nothing when it comes to cars, but I need some help to determine what may be the problem so the mechanic can have a direction of where to possibly start.

When I start my car in the morning it idles high (like a notch higher than 1) when it usually idles at a notch less than 1. When I go to reverse it shifts in the reverse hard, and the same when I put it in drive... kind of like it wants to go without putting on the gas. When I put on the gas it goes to like 3 or 4 rpms before it actually shifts, and if I let off the gas it down shifts REALLY hard.

It does this for about 10 minutes, and then it will start shifting fine... but when I gave it to the mechanic the first time it didn't do this... I guess it only does it sometimes, but it's happening more and more now.

Also when it idles fine, when I stop at a light and accelerate, the car kind of puts almost like its going to die and then rev's up. Does anyone know what could be the problem? It won't do this when the mechanic or anyone looks at it, because the mechanic is at least 20 min. away, so by the time I get there... the car is fine. I'm lost, and very frustrated!!

Thanks in advance!!