2003 Dodge Stratus (Jolt)
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2003 Dodge Stratus (Jolt)
I have a 2003 Dodge Stratus.
I have a problem that nobody seems to know what is the cause.
When driving, my car will give this sudden jolt. The check engine light will go on, and it will continue jolting until I turn the car off and back on.
To me it felt like the transmission, but when I took it in, the mechanic said nothing was wrong with transmission, engine codes showed misfires, and it was probably a chipped wire - but it would cost an undetermined amount to fix it.
When it is not acting up, the car drives fine, which is what is really weird.
It seems to happen in similar spots everytime. Speeding up onto a highway merge, or if I am going downhill out of a driveway and speed up.
Any help, or people with similar issues please direct me.
I have a problem that nobody seems to know what is the cause.
When driving, my car will give this sudden jolt. The check engine light will go on, and it will continue jolting until I turn the car off and back on.
To me it felt like the transmission, but when I took it in, the mechanic said nothing was wrong with transmission, engine codes showed misfires, and it was probably a chipped wire - but it would cost an undetermined amount to fix it.
When it is not acting up, the car drives fine, which is what is really weird.
It seems to happen in similar spots everytime. Speeding up onto a highway merge, or if I am going downhill out of a driveway and speed up.
Any help, or people with similar issues please direct me.
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
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Another thing to add is that if I turn the car off, and it sits a minute, then the problem stops for a while.
It also seems to struggle going up hills more then it should.
If anyone has any suggestion leading me to repair it, I will tip them.
This is an extremely frustrating experience.
From my own research, it could be spark plugs, O2 sensor, fuel filter, among a number of other things.
It also seems to struggle going up hills more then it should.
If anyone has any suggestion leading me to repair it, I will tip them.
This is an extremely frustrating experience.
From my own research, it could be spark plugs, O2 sensor, fuel filter, among a number of other things.
Mine didn't jolt, but it had the bumpshift from 4~>3. It felt like someone hit the brakes hard while it did so. I did not have an engine light come on though.
1. I would make sure that your fluid level is where it should be.
2. Make sure the trans fluid is red and doesn't smell burt or doesn't feel gritty (yes, you'll have to get dirty and put some on your hands and feel the fluid. If it feels anything close to sandpaper, it needs changed. ATF+4 ONLY!!!!)
3. If all the above is ok, the cause MIGHT be your transmission solenoid. It solved my 4~>3 bumpshift issue. FYI, It did take a week for the computer to re-learn everything and start shifting smooth again. It would have taken less time if I drove a lot of city miles but I don't. The solenoid is pretty easy to change and takes about an hour of your time.
NOTE: Try reading this, it might help you out with your issue. Helped me troubleshoot and solve my 02's issues. http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html
4. Misfire codes are usually from one of the following....
A. Plugs. I know that the autopart store say "oh, any of these will fit". First, don't go there, just use the stock champion plugs. If you need the part number, PM me. I'll take one of the plugs out and verify it for you. I change the plugs out ever 35-40k miles. They're very easy to do and only take about 15 minutes to swap. All the other plugs that I have tried that the autopart stores said fit, don't. They're too short and will cause mis-fires and nasty hesitation because the plug sits to high up in the head and doesn't deliever the spark where it needs to be. COST: Less then 10.00 TIME: approx. 15 min. SKILL LEVEL: Easy
B. Spark plug wires. Before buying them at the autoparts store, call your local dealer and ask for a replacement set. I actually got them cheaper at my local dealer (8mm wires) than I could have from both Autozone/Advanced/Orielly's. I was shocked at this. COST: 50.00 back in 2006. TIME: 5 min. SKILL LEVEL: Easy
C. Coil pack. That thing on top of the valve cover that your plug wires are attached too. Well, it might be going out. But this is the LAST thing of the 3 that I would change. COST: No idea, never replaced it. TIME: n/a SKILL LEVEL: n/a
5. You didn't specifiy if the car just shuts off, but if you're coming to a stop and the car quits on you, then you're O2 sensor needs replaced. This happened to a friend of mine on her Neon.
1. I would make sure that your fluid level is where it should be.
2. Make sure the trans fluid is red and doesn't smell burt or doesn't feel gritty (yes, you'll have to get dirty and put some on your hands and feel the fluid. If it feels anything close to sandpaper, it needs changed. ATF+4 ONLY!!!!)
3. If all the above is ok, the cause MIGHT be your transmission solenoid. It solved my 4~>3 bumpshift issue. FYI, It did take a week for the computer to re-learn everything and start shifting smooth again. It would have taken less time if I drove a lot of city miles but I don't. The solenoid is pretty easy to change and takes about an hour of your time.
NOTE: Try reading this, it might help you out with your issue. Helped me troubleshoot and solve my 02's issues. http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html
4. Misfire codes are usually from one of the following....
A. Plugs. I know that the autopart store say "oh, any of these will fit". First, don't go there, just use the stock champion plugs. If you need the part number, PM me. I'll take one of the plugs out and verify it for you. I change the plugs out ever 35-40k miles. They're very easy to do and only take about 15 minutes to swap. All the other plugs that I have tried that the autopart stores said fit, don't. They're too short and will cause mis-fires and nasty hesitation because the plug sits to high up in the head and doesn't deliever the spark where it needs to be. COST: Less then 10.00 TIME: approx. 15 min. SKILL LEVEL: Easy
B. Spark plug wires. Before buying them at the autoparts store, call your local dealer and ask for a replacement set. I actually got them cheaper at my local dealer (8mm wires) than I could have from both Autozone/Advanced/Orielly's. I was shocked at this. COST: 50.00 back in 2006. TIME: 5 min. SKILL LEVEL: Easy
C. Coil pack. That thing on top of the valve cover that your plug wires are attached too. Well, it might be going out. But this is the LAST thing of the 3 that I would change. COST: No idea, never replaced it. TIME: n/a SKILL LEVEL: n/a
5. You didn't specifiy if the car just shuts off, but if you're coming to a stop and the car quits on you, then you're O2 sensor needs replaced. This happened to a friend of mine on her Neon.
