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Chrysler Repair/'00 Sebring idles rough

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Expert: - 7/18/2011


Question
Hi Roland:  My 2000 Sebring convertable idels real rough, and runs just fine accelerating and at normal speed driving.  It only idels rough. I took it in and the mechanics replaced the distributer, plugs, rotor, and harness.  It still runs rough at idel.  I read your answer to another which indicated that the egr valve could be responsible for a rough idel.  I looked in the slot of the egr valve with engine in idel and reved up. I cannot see the rod move between engine off, idel, and reved up.  The rod looks shinny and not corroded. How can I tell whether the valve is stuck open or closed or whether I just replace it.  What other ideas do you have that could cause the rough idel?  The service engine soon panel light is on.  I tried turning the car ignition on-off-on-off-on and I saw no four digit number preceeded by a P.  

Thanks for your help,  Glenn

Answer
Hi Glenn,
Look closely at the stem itself where you will see a circumferential slot. Put the tip of a screwdriver in the slot and move the stem back and forth, against spring-action in one direction that tries to close the valve to a dead stop. If it seems sticky in its action then spray some WD-40 on the stem where it enters the body of the valve and move the stem some more. Then see if that solves the problem.
Other than removing the valve and cleaning out the passageway around the valve seat, which would be the next step, I can't suggest another item without a fault code.
Roland

Chrysler Repair

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Roland Finston

Expertise

I specialize in Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars, minivans, and SUV's for the model years 1982-2008 based upon my 50-year DIY experience, factory shop manuals and wiring diagrams. I offer fast repair advice to help you minimize repair costs by helping you diagnose and do it yourself. Problems with electronically controlled engines and transmissions as well as body wiring problems are my specialty.

I take questions one at a time between 8am and 10pm CT and attempt to answer within 20 minutes. "Maxed Out" means I am answering another question of otherwise busy, so try again later.

There are answers on file to more than sixteen thousand Chrysler questions at your finger tips: put a few key words in the "find" box (above) or click on "view past answers" for a chronological list of my q and a's. Don't use "Add to this answer" if you still have a question...ask it. As to trucks and jeeps I only have manuals for the '04-'06 model years.

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Five decades as a 'do-it-yourselfer' on domestic and imported cars

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Yahoo Autos Group called The Chrysler Lebaron Club (co-moderator)

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Degrees in Physics/bruised knuckles.

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"Top expert of 2010" and "2011" at Allexperts. Among top 50 experts for years 2006-2009 at Allexperts.

Quickest "average response time" at Allexperts (currently no. 1).

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