Hi,

I have a 2004 Dodge Stratus sedan (2.4L) with an automatic transmission. I have a really strange intermittent issue that only happens momentarily if the weather is cool (circa 60-65 degrees). I pulled up to the stop sign today right after leaving the house, stopped, stepped on the gas and the car would not move. I let up on the gas, then was able to drive it normally. It does it once, then is fine the rest of the day. Last time it happened was about 5 months ago when the weather is typically in that range. The car is not throwing any diagnostic codes. As far as the car computer goes, there is nothing wrong.

I poured through the factory manuals (I have the complete set), ran through all the Stratus posts on the forum and searched on the general Internet, but can't seem to find anything that mimics the symptoms above. A real head scratcher... Car is in great shape. I really like the car and don't want to give the wife an excuse to trade it. Any thoughts on what might be happening? Thanks, Mark83

 

If your car has the 41TE aka A604 it is possible your solenoid pack is acting up. I've had this happen on a spirit I had A604 and my 06 2.7l stratus. I don't know that there is really a way to check it though.

 

smokesxt,

Thanks for the possible lead. I did find my transmission fluid was down just a little and so I topped it off. Our weather just started hitting the 60's again. That strange "slip" hasn't happened yet, but I can't imagine adding a tiny bit of fluid fixed it.

One other weird quirk. When I'm accelerating, if I pull off the gas (by the smallest fraction) the engine clunks once. Acceleration is really smooth, and if I accelerate with authority, no clunk occurs, and the car has no trouble getting up to speed. Any ideas? Thanks!