Expert: Roland Finston - 10/23/2011

Question
I have a 2004 Chrysler Sebring and everytime i go up hill or even down the road the car will jump or bounce, and sometimes just shut off. If im at a red light the cars headlights will flicker or turn off. I have checked the spark plugs and they are perfect but my question is do you think that it could be the Crank Position sensor? There are no codes or dummy lights on the dash to let me know what is wrong with it.

Answer
Hi Katelyn,
The best way to solve this is in fact to get a fault code readout via a plug-in code reader that fits into a socket under the dash next to the steering column.
A nationwide auto parts store, such as Autozone, will usually give you a free readout or an independent repair shop will charge about $40. Ask for the code number(s), what they mean, what they suggest be done, and for how much? Then write back and we can compare notes with what the manuals say and I can tell you if this is a do-it-yourself project. But without codes it is a furitless effort to buy parts that 'could' be bad.
Roland

PS Thanks for the rating and nomination. In light of 'no codes' and what you report, I would first look at the battery cable connections to the battery. Remove the - post clamp first, then the + post clamp to be sure the clamps and posts are shiney and then replace them in the reverse order, finishing with the - post clamp. Then follow the wires on the -post clamp to their far ends and check to be sure that they are similarly shiney at the connection points and then attached firmly.
If that doesn't improve things then I would wonder if the ignition switch is not making good contact internally which would cause momentary losses of power as you describe. So notice also whether the gauges flutter/fluctuate when the engine stumbles which would also be a sigh of that.