I bought a 1999 Stratus from a used car dealer in Feburary. I didn't really trust the dealer but I couldn't pass up the price and the Vehix report came back with one owner and no issues. A Week after I bought the car it was hesitating when going uphill, almost as if it had trouble getting gas. I took it on a 3 hour trip and barely made it back because everytime I accelerated it would violently shake and I would have to push the gas pedal to the floor for it to go. Also the check engine light was on. I took it back to the dealer and explained the problem. He told me that my warranty does not cover electrical. I explained that I thought it was the gas pump but he insisted it had something to do with the electrical system. He agreed to get it fixed and he would pay for it. When I got it back he explained that they replaced the plugs and plug wires. There was no work order or any documentation of that but I didn't care because the problem was fixed. Just recently my car has been acting up again. Not nearly as bad as the last time but whenever I go up a hill, it shakes and hesitates until you step harder on the gas pedal then it will shift gears and stop shaking. A friend of mine assured me that it is not the transmission because in every other situation the transmission shifts fine and easy. Also it usually happens between 2000-2500rpms. If I am going up a hill and my speed starts to decrease, once it get in that range it will shake and sputter until the gas pedal is pressed hard. The dealer has since then gone out of business (I'm not suprised) so I can't go back to see what he did. I put almost 10,000 miles on this car in since February and haven't had any other issues but this. It had 75,000 when I bought it and now has close to 85,000. I have no mechanics around my area whom I trust. I only have majors chains (IE: Pepboys) and don't want to get ripped off because I don't want to pay more then I have to. Before I go out and buy new spark plugs and plug wires and replace them myself, does anyone have any ideas?

 

I’m not inclined to think plugs to be the problem (Especially if you get normal driving elsewhere), but they are easy to inspect to tell how new they really are. Has your overall gas mileage stayed the same or dropped?

I would start by purchasing a code reader ($69), and checking if the computer has anything to report. Good tool to have in your garage anyhow, as all cars after 1996 can use it.
Only going uphill? Going uphill could be low fuel pressure, or perhaps water in the tank, but I would think that would show at all RPMS
Is this just happening at the “shift point� or just the RPMs? If you could pin it to a certain position of the throttle (Remember, it is typically depressed further than normal “level ground driving� while going up hill), I would lean towards the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) or MAS (Mass Airflow Sensor), but those two are heavily monitored, and the ECU should detect and report problems there with the Check Engine indicator.
If you had a “shady� dealer, are you sure he didn’t just pull the Check engine light? (You should see it light when starting the car!) I doubt it, but the world is full of crooked cars dealers, so you never underestimate the things they might try!)


Just tossing some ideas out to banter here, and maybe others will add or counter with more.

Vince

 

I am going to check out the plugs today. I went to check them tomorrow and founf that they are burried deep in the the engine and I will need a ratchet extention and also something to get them out with. I'll let you know what I find. As for the Check engine light, it does come on at startup like it should.

 

If I were you I'd change those plugs,wires,and that coil terminal. I had the same problem with my 2000 Dodge Stratus and it made a very big difference, you see the coil terminal is the brain box for power and preformance so try that and get back with me if you have any more problems.

 

i have a 02 strat (no issues) and a 96 neon. with the 95-99 neons this is how u pull the codes (might not work with the strat). within 5 secs after you put the key in, turn to on-(right before start)-off-(one click back)-on-off-on then watch your check eng light. flash..pause..flash..flash..long pause is code 12: batt discon in last 50 starts/start wires, 55 is end of codes. if this don't work call your local parts store and ask if they have the hook up. they WANT to sell parts, so they MAY be more than happy to help out with pulling the compu codes.

when your going up-hill does the eng rev? have you checked your tranny fluid in "N" with the eng running and fluid hot? have you tried to contact the last owner to see if he had the same issue (and that's why he dumped it)? when was the last time the fuel, air, AND tranny filters been changed? just tossing ideas, good luck.