I just traded in my 99 Escort for an '04 Stratus SE with the 2.4 in it. It's got 33000 on it (Granted, not the smartest move ever...) Anyways, I have it now and recently, when I come to a stop, the idle will go a little low, or sometimes the engine will just kindof shudder a little bit. 2 days ago it stalled twice in a single day though. I Took it in today and they told me the Automatic Idle Speed motor is bad and they're ordering it tomorrow morning for me. Does this sound right to you guys? Thanks for any input

 

That doesn't sound to far out of line to me. when they determined this was there a check engine light on??? just wondering if they had a code stored that they went off of or if they actually had to look.

 

Nope, not a single light on once. I've checked for codes a couple times and nothing has come up at all. They took about a 1/2 hour to find that problem, I'm assuming they found it on their own unless their diag. computers can find out more then what the built-in ECU will tell. I put in a K&N filter and heard rumors about the oil on the filters interfering with O2 sensors and stuff like that? Don't really think it's a possibility but just a thought. When I looked up AIS motors, I couldn't find a single example about any vehicles besides 1980-1990's AIS motors-- nothing about any 2000 on up... Maybe I think too much though, who knows

 

I went out to get some food a few minutes ago, and on the way back I noticed the Check Engine light was on... I looked up the code in the car and it came up P 0442 -- Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Small Leak Detected.. Along with this.. Does anyone know if these problems are possibly related or not? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

I have noticed that EVAP faults are quite common ones for 04 Stratus owners.
And also one common thing is that dealers ask (and also repair manuals)to check fuel filler cap for leakage.

 

I have a 2001 Dodge Stratus R/T. It too was idling low, shaking. Eventually it started to die whenever it was in neutral. Then, it started dying whenever I had the defrost on. After four trips to the shop, they say I need a new AIS motor ($730) and my fuel system cleaned ($96).

When asked if cleaning the AIS motor would work, since it's a buildup of carbon they said that is causing the problem, they weren't sure. It took them 4 tries and on the 4th try, 4 hours, to find this problem.

Now I cannot find a manual to show me where this part is - so that I can clean it myself. Any advice? Any manuals out there?