Problem Reports
Problem with your car? See what our experts say or submit your own.
1992 Dodge Spirit Problems
No Start and/or Stalling Due to Failed Distributor Pick Up Plate
Vehicles equipped with a 4 cylinder engine may develop a no start or stalling condition, most commonly caused by a failed distributor pickup plate.
Noise From Rear Suspension
A noise from the rear suspension may be noted at slow speeds over uneven road surfaces. This can be caused by a cracked or broken rear torsion bar. A damaged torsion bar will require replacement.
Erratic Speedometer Operation
Erratic operation of the speedometer may be noted on vehicles equipped with a passenger side motorized seat belt. This is generally caused by a failed Passive Belt Control Module (PBCM). Our technicians tell us that if the speedometer functions correctly with the PBCM disconnected the PBCM should be replaced.
Engine Oil Leaks
4 cylinder engines may develop oil leaks from the following areas: Camshaft plug, Camshaft seal, valve cover gasket, cylinder head gasket, and distributor.
Fuel pump failure
The fuel pump may fail resulting in a no start condition. Our technicians recommend replacing the fuel filter whenever the fuel pump is replaced. Failure to replace the fuel filter may cause the replacement pump to fail prematurely.
Stalling or Low Engine Idle Speed Due to Dirty Throttle Body
A dirty throttle body can cause a low idle speed resulting in a stalling condition. Our technicians recommend cleaning the throttle body at 15k intervals to help minimize this condition.
Driving in Snow May Force Serpentine Belt off Pulleys
When driving through deep snow the serpentine belt may be forced off the pulleys. If pulley alignment is found to be OK a shield is available to prevent snow from coming in contact with the belt.
Engine knocking noise
4 cylinder engines may develop a cold engine knock that may last for 3-5 minutes and is often mis-diagnosed as a lifter noise. Our technicians tell us in most cases the noise is coming from the piston area and is not a reliability or durability concern.
Engine Oil Leaks
Engine oil leaks may develop from the following areas: Valve cover gaskets, cam plugs at rear of the cylinder head, cam seals, front crankshaft seal, and the oil filter bracket. Leaking seals and gaskets should be replaced. Due to mis-machining of the mating surfaces, as special gasket is required to correct the oil filter bracket leak.
Exhaust leak at header pipe
An exhaust leak and/or chirp type noise may develop from the exhaust manifold to header pipe connection. Our technicians tell us that replacing the exhaust seal ring and flange springs, along with sizing the header pipe flange will generally correct this concern.
Various driveability issues
4 cylinder engines may develop one or more of the following concerns: Erratic idle, hesitation, and lack of power. Common causes include: Faulty throttle position sensor, brittle or broken wires & corroded or spread terminals in the engine wire harness, cracked or swollen vacuum hoses, and oil contaminated o2 sensors. Our technicians recommend a complete inspection including diagnoses of any stored fault codes if these driveability concerns occur.
Fuel leak from injector o-ring
Hard starting, rough idle, black exhaust smoke, or poor fuel mileage may indicate a fuel leak from the area of the fuel injector. Our technicians tell us that in most cases the injector o-ring is the cause of these leaks.
Corrosion at Coolant Temperature Sensor
4 Cylinder engines, with a hard starting condition when cold and illumination of the Check Engine Light may have corrosion build up on the engine coolant temperature sensor. Our technicians tell us that the coolant sensor and pigtail should be replaced to correct this issue.
Engine vacuum leaks
4 cylinder engines may develop driveability issues and illuminate the Check Engine Light due to engine vacuum leaks. These vehicles use plastic vacuum lines which can become brittle due to heat and age. Care should be taken when replacing these lines as some may have a restrictor orifice molded inside. If lines are replaced without including the restrictors driveability issues will remain.
Updated idle air control valve
4 Cylinder engines may exhibit an erratic idle with the Check Engine Light illuminated. These conditions are most commonly present during cold engine operation in rainy weather. Our technicians tells us that there is an updated idle air control valve available to correct this concern.