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Chrysler Cirrus Car Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 2000 Chrysler Cirrus mileage: 42,000. What are all the problems that a failed oxygen sensor causes if I keep driving my car? Will my car quit on me or anything? What am I in danger of as far as hurting my car? I just need about four months until taxes to have the money for two oxygen sensors.

Answer: Oxygen sensors read the fuel mixture in the exhaust and send the information to the computer. The computer then, adjusts the fuel mixture. By not replacing faulty oxygen sensors, your can expect that your check engine light will come on accompanied by erratic idle and poor running and fuel mileage. Your exhaust system could sustain damage by driving it with faulty oxygen sensors. They should be replaced as soon as possible.

Question: 1999 Chrysler /Cirrus mileage: 64,000. My 1999 Chrysler Cirrus will not start. The lights and locks and everything else electrical work, except for the radio. It has a brand new battery so that is not the problem and since the headlights burn bright, I don't think that is the problem. There is no clicking or any other sound when the key is turned, the engine doesn't turn over. I noticed that the only idiot light that comes on is the air bag light when the key is turned. Check Engine, Oil Pressure, etc, bulbs do not light during the normal test period this makes me concerned about the computer in this thing. Is this a normal mode of failure for a computer? I have been having problems with the Check Engine light coming on but a buddy hooked it up to a diagnostic machine and said the O2 sensor wasn't floating properly so I replaced it. Do I need to reset the codes to keep that light from coming on or was that a possible sign of my current problem? I realize I have asked a lot here but it would really help to have a clue as to where to start before taking this to a dealer. And the dealer is the only one who will work on a Cirrus. God I hate this car. Thanks a lot! P.S. Any idea how difficult it would be to change plugs and wires in this thing? Must be hard, the dealer wants $250

Answer: The problems you describe would suggest a bad ignition switch. Your check engine light has to be reset with a scanning tool to clear the computer. As for the cost of a spark plug change, the plugs are undoubtedly platinum tipped and they are expensive.

Question: 2000 Cirrus mileage: 48,000. Just wanted to ask you if a catalytic converter overheats to the point where it is so hot it is igniting the bottom undercoat of a car along with a slight oil leak, just to make the point the converter is really red hot, anyway, isn't there a possibility that the converter becomes damaged? Besides testing the emissions to see, if they are within parameters is there any other form of diagnostics on catalytic converters. My problem is that the car bottom caught on fire as a result to the converter overheating. No doubt the oil leak has to be fixed, as well as any problem the car was having to make the converter overheat, but what about the converter itself? How can I really know if my car needs to have one replaced or has been damaged and will need replacement soon?

Answer: It is difficult to say if your catalytic converter is okay from here. The converters are made to run hot but if they are severely overheated, they can be damaged. We suspect the cause of the converter overheating would be in the emission control system, possibly an air control valve that is not functioning properly. Another possibility would be a leaky fuel injector or a faulty fuel pressure regulator that would cause the engine to run rich.

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