Expert: Roland Finston - 11/28/2011

Question
I have a 2004 chrysler sebring 2 door with a 3.0 v6. When I crank it, it doesn't idle. I have to press on the gas.  Unless I hold on the gas, it dies out when I drive it whenever I stop.  Possible problem and solution?

Answer
Hi Sheri,
The problem you describe is very likely due to the fuel/air mixture being too lean. It is possible that the engine control module has diagnosed the cause and stored a fault code in its memory which can be obtained by a fault code readout. Such a readout will often be done for free at a nationwide autoparts store, such as Autozone. Ask for the fault code number, what its name it, what it means and what they would recommed doing. Then write back and tell me and we'll go from there.
I would strongly suspect that the code will say something about a part called the exhaust gas recirculation valve being stuck ajar because that device in fact supposed to inject exhaust gas back into the intake manifold when you are not idling and are not accelerating hard. It is a pollution control device which operates to reduce oxides of nitrogen from the tailpipe.
The common problem with it is that instead of closing when you are idling or even trying to start the car if instead it is ajar at the moment then the mixture is too lean to catch and idle or to idle when you release the gas pedal and slow to a halt. This is exactly what you are experiencing so this has all the signs of a sluggish valve-closing situation.
What you can try is to free up the 'action' of the valve by lubricating the valve stem with a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 that comes in a spray can. Once the valve is closing by means of its built-in spring, the problem magically disappears!
I can tell you where to find the valve and exactly what to do if you want to do this yourself at no cost other than the spray can of WD-40. Or you can go to a shop or get an amateur mechanic friend to do it for you. Let me know your dispostion on how you want to handle this easy fix-attempt.
Roland
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