Questions and Answers

Dynasty Broke Something

Q. Hi Vince, It has been a while since I last wrote to you. I have a new problem with my Dodge Dynasty and I was hoping that you could diagnose the problem for me.

The car is a 1991 Dodge Dynasty, with a V6 engine and fuel injected. Also has auto transmission. The problem started after I went to have it taken in for state inspection and after the emissions testing. When I brought it in, it was running fine and everything normal. The mechanic did the emissions testing and held the gas down for about 1 to 1 ½ minutes straight. Right after he stopped, the check engine light came on and he said that there was some kind of mist coming out of the tail pipe after he pulled the tester out. Since we left and brought it home, it has been idling very rough at stop lights and just sputters. On top of that, there is a continuous heavy gas smell. The mechanic said it might be some sensor that was blown, but was not sure. I guess you could say it was an emissions test gone bad, but now the check engine light stays on and the car runs real bad. (Kind of wish I never had to have it done). The car did pass the whole inspection though! Well, any help you could offer will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all of your help one again!
Karla G.

A. Hello Karla, how are you? We need to get your Husband to get you a new car one of these days.

I think what happened here was the Mass Airflow Sensor or MAP sensor decided to call it quits. The fact the check engine light is on is good because it is a hard fault that can be pulled from the computer.

Okay, let's put hubby to work fixing this. To pull the DTC's from the computer turn the ignition on - off - on - off - on within five seconds. The check engine light will come on for two seconds as a bulb check. After that it will flash a code. There is a short pause between flashes and a long pause between numbers. Any number of codes can be displayed as long as they are in memory. The lamp will flash untill all codes are displayed.

As an example:

• Light on for two seconds than off; Bulb check.
• Light flashes five times, short pause than flashes once; Code 51
• Light flashes five times, short pause than flashes five times; Code 55

In this example the two codes are 51 and 55.

Code 55 means that the test is complete. You can get a list of the DTC's from in a Chilton's service manual. You can purchase one or look them up at the public library. Once the fault is repaired, they can be cleared by disconnecting the battery cable for about five minutes.

I hope this helps.

Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA