I just sold my WONDERFUL Chrysler Concord that I dearly loved but it was a big old gas guzzler. Bought a 2005 Stratus from a guy locally and he said it was having an issue he couldn't pinpoint but it ran OK MOST of the time just kinda pukey at the start. My Hubby is a Technician but this is giving us fits. WHen it's cold it runs like crap and cold or not when you speed up it does this LURCHING thing when it "changes gears" and RPM's up to 3 or 4?? so........I'm here looking for HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! Hubby traced the history with the VIN and it seems this car is a ZERO EMISSIONS...the $800 part has been replaced and it runs ........some better...but only after the initial block or so and it getting warmed up.

 

First, I'd check the transmission fluid level. If the level is good, what does it look like (should be nice bright red) and how does it feel (should feel like fluid with no grit). I know when mine was shifting weird, it was usually low on fluid or needed changed out.

A gasket and filter are about 10-12.00 at your favorite auto parts store and I run Walmart's ATF+4 transmission fluid (which Mopar approves) and the car currently has 164k miles on the original trans. FYI...Only put ATF+4 in dodge transmissions.

Have him check your spark plug gap (mine runs much better when gapped between .038-.042") and make sure its a stock size plug. All the auto part stores have the wrong length plug listed and it will make the car feel like its surging/missing as you are driving down the road. You do not need to go with any plat. tipped plugs or some crazy 5.00/plug spark plug. The cars LOVE regular copper champion plugs. If you need the number off the plug, let me know and I'll pull one out of the car and post it here for you.

Start there and let us know if things improve.

 

is your Stratus a ZERO Emissions?? yes please tell us the number of the plug please.
THank you

 

Not sure what you mean by zero emission. It has emissions on it but no stratus that I know of is a "zero emission" car. That would be a battery powered car. The sticker under the hood shows LEV which stands for Low Emissions Vehicle.

The number on the plug is 3570. It is a champion plug. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cpn-3570/overview/ and you will need 4.
I'm sure autozone or any other parts store can get it if you tell them you need a champion plug #3570. Do NOT use what they have in their computer. The plugs they list in their computer are too short and will make the car hesitate and stumble because the tip of the plug doesn't sit in the combustion chamber where it should.

My stratus loves these things. I've had the plugs in there for 45K+ miles and still look good. I did re-gap them a month ago when I changed the oil and the gap according to my book is .038-.042". I put it right in the middle and just pulled in the driveway with 383miles on this tank of gas. I will have to fill up tomorrow AM on the way to work but I'm good with the mpg it gives me. The last fill up gave me 27.4MPG in mixed driving (60/40 highway/city).

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.