We have a 2000 Dodge stratus w/ the 2.5L V6 in it. About a month ago it began to miss out and stall sometimes, we replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter, over the last month it has gotten worse, when you start it it takes any where from 2 to 10 tries to get it going. If it hasn't been driven in a few hours it will run fine til you shut it off. If it has been driven on and off it will stall out/ chug and die anytime you let off the gas, stop, or switch gears D/N/R... we replaced the Crank Shaft Sensor, had the timing tested, it was reading no check engine codes or a light, but on the dash if you click over the key a few times where the mileage is it reads "no bus"... dodge told us this could be a computer sensor erroring. Well today on the drive home from the mech, it threw a check engine light and the code was PO140. The guy at O'reilly said it is a O2 sensor wiring code, meaning the issues is in the electrical wiring going to the O2 sensor, causing the dying and chugging because the wiring is not telling the O2 sensor what to do. We are trying to fix this as it is our only car and we are looking for any advice we can find on what exactly this issue might be... we have checked and rechecked and dumped money into this... any advice is appreciated!

 

our mechanics computer also showed codes for CL, OL Fault and OL Drive in the fuel area.

 

inspect Rear downstream O2 sensor wiring.
If it doesnt start and shows No Bus, hook up a Code reader and see if it even communicate with the PCM. (you can buy one for less than $30, will save u A LOT of money in long run). You want to Scan the Car when it dies and won't start.
If no communication is found. Disconnect the the Down Stream O2 sensor, see if Car starts and communication restores, it will rule out the O2 sensor, which is giving u the code.

When it is Chuckling and going to die, Can u save it by giving it more gas? does it always start right back up after it dies?

 

You can not save it by giving it more gas, maybe every once and a while... after it dies sometimes it will start back up right away, sometimes it take 5-10-15 tries, but yes it will always run again, most of the time dying quickly unless no stops and stay on the gas.

 

that... sounds like a problem you want a professional to look into...
I think throwing parts at it without an Advance Scanner to analyze the data when it dies is going to be a hole with no bottom.
U really want to look at All the data when it is Cranking but won't start. Or have a Data recorder that records everything when u r driving.

If you suspect the Rear O2 sensor that's throwing the code is the cause, You can unplug the Downstream O2 sensor and drive your car with CEL ON, downstream O2 doesnt do anything other than monitor the Cat convertor.