Car in question is an automatic 2000 Chrysler Cirrus LXi. Bought used (single owner) in 2005. Ran in w/o oil once for a very short period of time--this was corrected straight away. Had issues with the 'check engine light'--took it to a really shady mechanic who overcharged to have the "freeze plugs" replaced and the engine partially rebuilt (he claimed there was anti-freeze that had not been flushed that destroyed these plugs and other things in the engine.)

Most recently, the car has evidenced a tenancy not to start and to cut off at stop lights. It will also not shift correctly--the first time you drive it, it will *seem to* shift fine, but after a few minutes, it won't. Especially after stopping and starting again. I don't know if it will shift in psuedo-manual.

the same shady car mechanic told us it was a dead cell in the battery which he replaced (and over charged us for). He claimed then that the other issue was not fixed but that the computer controlling the transmission needs to be replaced (he quoted me a price that was a good $150 over the price of other mechanics. Sigh.) After I called him back to confirm, he stated the whole transmission needed to replaced. I told him that I didn't want to do that...and went out and bought a new car the next day.

My question is this: does it sound like this *could be* a "replace X and you're fine" issue? Could it be an issue where the computer needs to be reset?

Thank you for your time. I realize my car has a long and sordid history and I appreciate any advice!

9/15/2007 11:36:05 PM

probably something like a TPS.

Why do you have freeze plugs in quotation marks?

9/15/2007 11:39:18 PM

TPS? I'm sorry--I really don't know a lot about cars.

Which is why I said "freeze plugs" in quotes--I didn't know cars had anything other than spark plugs. That was what he called them, and...I dunno. "freeze plugs" sounds funny to me.

9/15/2007 11:41:57 PM

TPS = throttle position switch. could me many electic things causing it to stall at lights.

9/15/2007 11:48:05 PM

wow why did you keep going to this guy?

[Edited on September 15, 2007 at 11:55 PM. Reason : f]

9/15/2007 11:54:58 PM

Throttle position sensor.


Make sense because of your combination of stalling issues a well as shifting problems. TPS plays a part in both. I'd have to play with it/hook it up to the scanner to tell for sure but that's my guess based off of your symptoms.

"Freeze plugs" are in the engine block. They are little caps like soda bottle caps that are pressed into the side of the block. In the event that coolant freezes the plugs pop out as the coolant expands instead of the pressure being absorbed by the engine thus causing the block to crack. What he said makes sense - wether or not it was the case. Over time freeze plugs corrode and need replacement.

9/16/2007 12:18:20 AM

I kept going to him becuase I'm a: not very bright, and b: he's very close. He'd also "done right" by some people I knew...but I'm begining to think those people either hate me or have no idea what a good mechanic really is.

My issue now is that I don't want to fix this car (unless it's under a hundred bucks, lol) cause I do have the new one. I just want to know what *may* be wrong so that I can sell it and give the potential new owner an idea of how much they may have to sink into the damn thing to get it running.

Thanks for all the replies!

9/16/2007 1:19:41 PM