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Plymouth Acclaim Repair Questions and Answers

Question:  1991 Plymouth Acclaim mileage: 180,000. The Acclaim V-6 won't start in cold weather. During the summer it starts right up but as the temperature falls the harder it is to start. It did the same thing last winter too. I tried disconnecting the MAP sensor but it didn't make any difference. When I start the car it cranks and tries to fire up then cranks again. Some times it takes 4 or 5 times of trying and some times more, but if it is 50 degrees or warmer outside it fires right up. Also, when it does finally start and I drive a ways, it will start again without a problem. It only does this when it sits for awhile in cold temperatures I hope this gives you enough info.

Answer:   The cold starts are controlled by the coolant temperature sensor.  There is a separate sensor for the computer which is different than the one for the gauge or warning light on the dash. 

Question: 1993 Plymouth Acclaim mileage: 102,000. On your site I read a question sent in regarding a Dodge Caravan transmission and I had the identical problem with my Acclaim. It would shift down to second gear at any time, never knew when it would happen. You could then turn the key off and back on and it would then shift into drive. Did a computer check and had a transmission shop run the car. It was the computer control for the transmission that was defective. Replaced the unit with a second hand one and the problem was solved. It is located on the right inner finder near the grill. Takes all of five minutes to change.

Answer: We are happy that you were able to fix your transmission problem by replacing the transmission control computer. There are many other reasons that would explain the transmission fault that you mentioned; a faulty sensor, a loose wire, a faulty ignition switch or transmission relay or a failing transmission just to mention a few.

Question: 1994 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 122,000. Today my wife was driving to work, and it was wet. On her way the car stalled. She tried to start it numerous times but nothing. After contacting me, I arrived about 15 minutes later. When trying to start the car all it would do is turn over with limited response. Then I pressed the gas to the floor and it started. We traded cars and on the way back to work the tachometer would briefly stop working and then resume. Could this be a bad ground somewhere? Code 55 came up when I did the key on/off check and there was no problem on my way home. This car is never driven by me, only my wife. Can you please help us?

Answer: Check the controller by the battery as it may be failing. If it is okay, the cam and/or the crank angle sensor may be the culprit.

Question: 1992 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 142,000. I failed the emissions testing at my local inspection station. I had about 1800 NOx where my standard is 970 NOx. Al the others were fine, what can I my-self do to help lower this emission so I don't have to spend so much money with a professional.

Answer: Check the ignition timing. If it is too far advanced, it will raise the NOx. If the timing is okay, check the operation of the EGR valve. If it is okay, you may have to replace the catalytic converter.

Question: 1993 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 232,000. Bob and Ken, I am not sure what is going on with my car. I'll be driving down the road for about 45 minutes or so and then, out of the blue my car starts sputtering and shuts off on me. If I let it sit for about a minute, it will allow me to go for about a mile. If I allow it to sit for a longer period of time, it will run longer. The car is fine on short trips but it keeps doing this after 30 minutes of driving. My dealer told me it was the radiator and I let them replace it but it didn't do any good and it ended up costing me $300 for a non-Chrysler radiator. Would it be an oxygen sensor? P.S. This car has been really good to me over the years and this is the first major problem with it in over 230,000 miles. Thanks

Answer: From what you described, your problem could be the fuel pump, the ignition switch, or the main engine controller possessor that is located by the battery.

Question: 1993 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 100,000. Hi guys, I have a quick question regarding the alt. belt in my 1993 Plymouth Acclaim. Last year during the winter the alt. serpentine belt fell off while backing out of some deep snow. I put the belt back on. This summer the belt started squealing so I replaced it. Now the belt has fallen off three times already when driving through rain puddles. What can I do to prevent the belt from falling off when driving through puddles (the puddles are not that big...everyone else can go through them)?

Answer: Check the alignment of the pulleys and replace the belt tensioner.

Question: 1989 Plymouth Acclaim, mileage: 130,000. My speedometer doesn't work at times. How can I fix it?

Answer: If your speedometer is cable driven, you will need to replace the cable. If it is electronically driven, try replacing the vehicle speed sensor in the transmission.

Question:  1993 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 159,000.  Well this happened to me the other day.  I was driving home and it was wet out, I drove through a puddle and shortly after my car stalled.  As I continued to drive every time I hit a stoplight or I had to come to a stop, I could feel the car begin to pull/chug.  But now it seems to be happening when I am driving no matter the weather conditions.  But hasn't stalled since.  I can just feel when I accelerate sometimes it not wanting to go like it should.  

Answer:  You may have gotten the ignition wet when you went through the puddle.  Try replacing the distributor cap and rotor and the spark plug wires.

Question:  1992 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 78,000.  Hi, my Acclaim 2.5L idles around 1200 RPM when cold but after a few miles on the highway it starts to idle at 2000-2500 RPM.  The computer gave me fault codes about the TPS (throttle plate sensor) and the idle speed motor, so I changed these two parts and the problem is still not fixed.  The idle problem seems to get better when I let the engine heat up.  Any ideas on this problem?

Answer:    Our guess would have been the throttle plate sensor or the idle speed motor also.  The next sensors to try would be the oxygen and coolant temperature sensors.

Question:  1991 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 100,528.  After a few minutes of driving the car, it will run hot.  Checking under the hood reveals antifreeze blowing out from near the water pump.  I checked the reserve bottle and the anti freeze in there is still cold as if it is not being circulated.   There is no water in my oil as I thought maybe the head gasket was gone.

Answer:    From what you describe, your water pump may be failing.

Question:  1991 Plymouth Acclaim  mileage: 133,000. Yesterday my wife drove to work. When she pulled into the parking lot and stopped at a stop sign, the car died and would not start. It appears that it is not getting a spark. I took off one of the spark plug wires and grounded it while trying to start it, no spark. I said no problem, must be the coil, bought a new one and replaced the old coil and still no spark at all. Not even from the coil itself. I took off the top wire and grounded it with a screwdriver and still nothing. I've checked the wires, the distributor and cap, the rotor, nothing is cracked or wet. Some one said something to me about the pick up sensor under the distributor. Do you have any suggestions before it cost me an arm and a leg?

Answer:  Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to see if the timing belt has failed, 2. Check for fuel pressure, 3. Scan P.C.M. (computer) for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

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