engine light and hesitating

As I said in my other thread I'm thinking about taking Dads 02 Dodge Stratus (2.4 DOHC 4cyl 79K on it) for now. It only has a couple of problems that I'm wondering about.

problem 1 and 2: Its been hesitating some. Not a lot but sometimes. And the check engine light comes on every couple of weeks. I dont remember the code but it said a misfire in a cylinder. Could it just need new plugs and a good tune up? Or what?

problem 3: The suspension has been making a squeaking sound when I turn. But I really think it just needs new shocks or struts. I pushed on the front end and it squeaked. Could I be right?


Thanks!

For your #1 The hesitation and check engine light could be the old dirty MAF (Mass Air Flow) sending unit.
If this has been on going for a while... It may have caused the computer to lean out the fuel/ air mixture causing the plugs to start to foul.

Leading me to #2 A new set of plugs wouldn't hurt after finding out what the fault code was and correcting it.

#3 Just for shits and giggles try putting some Oil on the tops of the strut bearings. Work it in. See if the squeak goes away.
If not? It may be lower ball joints.

That's my 0.02 Maybe some of the other guys have some ideas too.

To save some money... If it is the MAF. Try cleaning it yourself. You have nothing to loose. But be prepared to have to buy a new one.
Most mechanics say you can't clean them. But some please have gottin lucky with cleaning them. NOTE don't touch the element.
Use an rattle can electrical contact cleaner. Dry it completely.

Let us know how you did

#3 is most likely either bad ball joints, or tire rod ends.

IF you can get your hand under the car or reach everything from the engine compartment, put your hand around various suspension parts while pushing up/down. Usually, when parts make that noise, you can "feel" them squeaking/popping. This was the case with my car. 4 new tire rod ends (precaution) and 2 lower ball joints later, she's as quiet as a calm summer breeze.

Mike, if you take the car to a local autozone and get the code pulled, that will help a lot to determine your problem.

merlin5577 wrote:

Mike, if you take the car to a local autozone and get the code pulled, that will help a lot to determine your problem.

I'm planning on doing that first thing in the morning

Let us know how it turns out. I'd luv to know

stealthdawg09 wrote:

merlin5577 wrote:

Mike, if you take the car to a local autozone and get the code pulled, that will help a lot to determine your problem.

I'm planning on doing that first thing in the morning

Awesome. Let us know how it goes.

Heres what I got. Code: P0300 multiple cylinder misfire I cleared it out just to get the light to go off lol.

Now we just need to find out why the computer caused the multi cylinder miss fire..

Definately spark plugs and or wires. Probably got a dying plug or a worn out wire. Time to head to the parts store Mike.

merlin5577 wrote:

Definately spark plugs and or wires. Probably got a dying plug or a worn out wire. Time to head to the parts store Mike.

Well I think I know where the 25 bucks that I won on a scratch off ticket is going

Mike
Does your 2.4 DOHC have a cap and rotor? or is it one of those ignition box?

EDIT : P0300 code just answered my own question. If you get that code you must have an computerized ignition box.
I was gonna suggest rotor and cap. LOL but that pretty impossible

Plugs and wires should fix her right up. At 79,000 those quite possible might be the original

I had P0300 code on my 97 Camaro Z28 AFTER replacing ignition wires and found it was caused by damaged ignition wires due to incorrect routing of the wires themselves. There are two areas where the wires can be damaged very easily. One is where the wires go behind the alternator bracket on the passenger side of the engine. I had completely removed my alternator bracket to replace the spark plugs.

Wow I forgot about this thread. I dont even have that car now I traded with Dad for the Volvo lol