1999 Dodge Avenger Rough Idle, cuts out at 4000 RPM

TEMPE608

MEMBER
1999 DODGE AVENGER
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
133,000 MILES

The engine in my 99 Dodge Avenger started acting up last week. It takes two or three seconds of cranking while giving it gas to get it started and then it idles rough below about 1100 or 1200 rpm. Coming up to a stop sign/light I have to give it a little bit of gas to keep it from stalling, the revs don't seem to try and catch at idle speed, it just falls off. Once it is over 1100 or 1200 rpm it runs fine, no noticeable loss of power until you get to 4000 rpm and then it cuts out. Replaced the spark plugs and wires and had the vacuum system smoke tested which tested good. No CEL as of yet. Any ideas?

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 AT 7:55 PM

5 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

First, please go to Auto Zone or O'Reilly's and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery, alternator and starter.

I would also like you to check your fuel pressure. It sounds like your fuel pump is going out.

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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 12:07 AM

TEMPE608

MEMBER
3 POSTS

First off, thanks for the quick reply.
Well, the CEL (check engine light) finally came on, which I was actually excited about because it might tell me what is actually wrong, instead of guessing my way through it. The code was P0403 which my trusty manual says is "EGR transducer circuit open or shorted". I went ahead and ordered a new EGR valve/solenoid so hopefully that fixes it. I also cleaned the MAP sensor and now the cutting out at 4000 rpm is gone. I really don't think it is the fuel pump/filter because it doesn't sound fuel starved even under a pretty good load and higher rpms. Anything else I should look at in case the new EGR valve/solenoid doesn't fix it?

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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 10:06 AM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello Tempe608

No - sounds like you are in the right direction if it threw the code. Let me know how it does afterwards.........I would make sure once installed you cleared all codes.......

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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 7:45 PM

TEMPE608