1999 Chrysler Cirrus Having Problems?
November 9th, 2009 | by admin |
I own a 1999 Chrysler Cirrus. It has about 125,000 miles on it at the moment. Recently, I’m talking 3 weeks ago, it started having some problems. First problem, the oil light turns on and off once the car is warmed up, and usually when its stopped at a red light or traffic but once the car gets going it goes away.
Second problem, About 2 weeks ago it completely died on me, took it to the shop and they said they had to replace the distributor… towing + parts + labor = $650.00
Third problem, about 5 days ago the check engine light came on and it has been turning on ever since. When the car is running it drives intermittently, sort of like its losing power, or kind of like coughing? I hope you can understand what I mean but that’s what’s happening so far and I’m afraid the car is going to die on me again and I’ll have to spend more $ on it.
Any ideas what the problems might be? Please help.
Hey helpful Bob, you are right, I am not familiar at all with auto parts but the mechanic did use the word distributor…
would it help if i use fuel injector cleaner? I am trying that after reading Eric’s post.
Oh and by the way, towing was $30… so it was $620 for parts and labor, i guess I paid too much huh? How much would have been fair?
Latest update:
I had the car checked at OReilly Auto Parts, they checked the car computer because the "check engine" light turned on and the problem is "cilynder 3 misfire"… whatever that means. Is this related to the distributor job it got done recently?
If you have a 2.5L in your car you have a distributor and they frequently are a problem. I have replaced plenty of them and they cost over $200 in parts. As for the low oil pressure lamp you probably have the oil pressure switch failing. But I would certainly have the oil pressure checked at idle and at 3K RPM to verify this. I have seen several 2.5L engines with this problem. You did not get ripped off if that is what you paid to have it fixed in the first place but I would go back and see if the SES lamp is related to them working on it. For everyone else people please don’t answer peoples questions unless you are sure of the answer that you are giving. Giving people poor advice is worse than giving none at all.
6 Responses to “1999 Chrysler Cirrus Having Problems?”
By thejeepyn on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
I don’t think that your car has a distributor. Sounds like you got ripped.
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By Eric on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Do yourself a favor and make this your last Chrysler.
It is a long shot that you needs a distributor, more like a cap and rotor might have been changed based on your explanation of the problem.
If you paid $400 you would have paid a bit much.
If you maintain the car it can be less of a list of items and if not then the list can grow long.
Air filter and possibly time for a fuel filter.
Oil change?
PVC valve?
Plugs all good?
Bottle of fuel injector cleaner every 4 months in the tank?
The check engine light usually comes on when a sensor or device designed to help you can burn it’s fuel cleanly has failed.
Of hand, not sure exactly what it could be.
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By helpful bob on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Well on the oil light issue I’d be changing the oil filter and oil but using 1 litre of Lucas oil treatment too but I’d be checking the oil pressure and sensor plus the oil sensor’s wiring on it too.
I’am not sure if the mechanic used the term distributor or if you’re not not familiar with such part names etc bec really that vehicle has a solid state part that is called the ignition coil or ignition module.
The sputtering could come from a bad PCV valve or gas filter , or dirt in the fuel system or the wrong fuel pressure or bad spark-plugs or spark plug wire, or bad connections in the charging system or a faulty air filter etc.
If the major part of the 650 bucks was the tow bill then really with that age of a vehicle I highly recommend that you get coverage such as CAA.
Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way if the main part of the fees were labour and parts I really suggest that you look for another mechanic.
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By Mike J on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
If you have a 2.5L in your car you have a distributor and they frequently are a problem. I have replaced plenty of them and they cost over $200 in parts. As for the low oil pressure lamp you probably have the oil pressure switch failing. But I would certainly have the oil pressure checked at idle and at 3K RPM to verify this. I have seen several 2.5L engines with this problem. You did not get ripped off if that is what you paid to have it fixed in the first place but I would go back and see if the SES lamp is related to them working on it. For everyone else people please don’t answer peoples questions unless you are sure of the answer that you are giving. Giving people poor advice is worse than giving none at all.
References :
certified chrysler jeep and dodge tech
By C-Tech on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Ok all you experts, IF your Cirrus has a 2.5L V6 engine then it has a very expensive distributor. The price was reasonable. The dealer price for a new distributor is higher. If the distributor was rebuilt, the problem you have now may be related to the rebuilt distributor. The oil problem may simply be a bad oil press. sender. Good Luck and don’t pay attention to the idiots.
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Chrysler tech 10+ years.
By Tim S on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
as far as the oil light at an idle, it may be a bad sending unit but doubtful, chrysler star center has advised that there is a problem being that on the connector to the sensor there is provisions for two wires but only has 1 wire to the sending unit & a little plug in the second hole, simple have a mechanic pull the little plug out of the connector, the plug is grey & the head of it looks square, that should fix that concern, as for the other you need to have the trouble code retrieved to see what the code is, there has been lots of problems with the reman distributors so it may be related.
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25 yrs ase master tech,chrysler seal team certified tech.