1998 Dodge Stratus Sputters/stalls at low speeds (fwd/rvse)

MMARTINE1

MEMBER
1998 DODGE STRATUS
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

I've been having this problem for a number of months and have just been dealing with it. I've just learned how to drive the car to minimize the problem's occurrence :)
It seems as though my car sputters and often stalls if I go between 1st and 2nd too slowly in either direction. It will start right back up though.
Here's the problem: The car drives fine until I begin to slow down to stop signs. If I come to a smooth stop by completely taking my foot off of the accelerator on level ground, then I am good. In general I can take my foot off of the brake and get going on my merry way.
If, however, I'm going uphill (lucky for me I live in SF, CA) then when my car decelerates towards that stop sign it sputters and sometimes stalls in between 2nd and 1st gears. It will start right back up again with little issue.
The car will also sputter and often stall when completely stopped on level ground if I don't accelerate fast enough from 1st to 2nd it seems.
I seem to notice it more between those gears because of the hill issue, but the car will also stall at low speed when going in reverse - while parallel parking for instance.
I mentioned the IAC motor to my mechanic, but he says that since the car idles perfectly fine at stop signs that it probably isn't that. He does very basic work and didn't check any DTCs, but I would think that at these low speeds it would be something in the electronic engine control system, right? This car's fuel system doesn't seem to be giving me any other problems. Other than getting about 15mpg (all city driving).

1 Reply

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

You may have a vacuum leak, get a can of spray gumout, spray the vac lines and maniflod area, when the idle changes, youve found the leak! You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs! You can try a self-diagnostic test. To activate self diagnostic program:

With the ignition switch in the OFF position, depress the TRIP and RESET buttons.
While holding the TRIP and RESET button turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
Continue to hold the TRIP and RESET buttons until the word CODE appears in the odometer windows (about five seconds ) then release the buttons. If a problem exists, the system will display Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's). If no problem exists, the code 999 (End Test) will momentarily appear. Also when was the last tune up? Has the throttle body and MAF sensor been cleaned?