1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible from North America - Comments

We have a 2004 Sebring convertable which is making a popping noise in the front end. We've had it to two dealerships and they hear the problem but can't find it. One dealer (where we bought it) charged us $242.00 for diagnostics, (and wouldn't release the car until we paid), --all covered under warranty. I have a car that no one will buy, sounding like microwave popcorn. I will never buy another Chrysler product.

I have a 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible JX 2.5L V6. I've had the car quite a few years, but just recently I am having serious problems. The car takes a very long time to start, just seems to keep spinning. The other day when I was driving it seemed like it wanted to stall out and kill a couple of times, before actually cutting off eventually. The air & radio continued to work fine, even as the car stopped rolling. Just today, it took 25 minutes to start and when I got ready to leave school it refused to start. Had the car towed to a shop, but mechanic just gave me a list of possible problems. I can hear the fuel pump clicking on once the ignition is turned, but it just doesn't want to start. Any possible help would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know what it could be because the car runs almost flawlessly, once it starts of course. Please help because I can't continue to wait until the car actually breaks, and I don't have the money to fix every problem the mechanic may think is the answer.

My 1998 Chrysler Sebring convertible has alarm trouble.

At first it would start and die about ten times, then not start at all for about 15 minutes.

Now the alarm light will come on, it will start and die a few

times then it will not start at all but all the lights will work.

The key fobs first started giving trouble, I replaced the batteries now they don't work at all.

Hello fellow Sebringers. I too am an owner of a 1998 Sebring JXi, has approx 88,800 miles on it. I read a comment that the convertibles should be garaged during heavy rains. Well many ragtop owners are unable to do so, and if driving during one of these heavy rains, what then?

I've had some car issues myself. First the water sloshing, called the dealer, he mentioned the DRAINAGE PORTS and I now unplug them when needed using coat hanger wire.

The REAR DEFROST sensor broke off, needs to be welded back on.

My most expensive problem OVERHEATING. I found a notice, which was given to the dealers that the FREEZE PLUGS throughout the engine on earlier sebring models may have been damaged due to the type of antifreeze/coolant used during manufacturing. So about $650 (labor) later the overheating problem solved.

I've replaced both TIE RODS, left side once and the right side twice. Luckily I have a family member that replaced them.

Now the TOP has some looses stitching, so what can be done for this?? AND needs assisting when putting it up. I was told to first check the HYDRAULIC fluid in the motor.

I love my car but all of our "American" cars we own have mechanical problems and our previously owned Nissans had major rust problems only. Too bad they could not work together, but without continuously buying parts the companies would go bankrupt. HEY WAIT! LOL

Okay I too own a 99 sebring jxi and I was having a problem with water getting into my car and I read the comment about using a hanger I just wanted to say thanks I tried this and about 3 gallons of water poured out of my car from these holes!!! one more question is there a permant way to fix this problem or will i have to continue to unclog these holes?

I also hear water sloshing around but I can't find the drainage ports. Can someone tell me where they are located. Thank you.

I have a 1996 Sebring convertible. It ran just fine, then I took it to get serviced including the transmission oil getting changed, then a few days later my transmission did not want to shift. It still runs smooth it doesn’t make any weird noise and the transmission oil level is fine. The automatic transmission just does not want to shift. I took it back to where I got it serviced; they said they worked on the transmission. I'm pretty sure it is a vacuum line issue. Can any one help?

I purchased a 1998 Sebring Con this past Feb. It had 98,000 miles on it. I too had a problem with water leaking into the passenger side. What I found is that the water got into the car while I was parked downhill from rear to front. This may come from water not escaping from the trunk water guides. The water also got into the Infinity radio amp, causing it to short circuit and run static through the speakers, even though the radio was off. It also blew out the 10 amp circuit breaker located inside. I took out the amp from under the passenger seat, and found some of the circuits were rusty from water. I then cleaned all of the circuits with a wire brush and it it now working fine.

The Dolby radio and amp is awesome. I too have a top that has some stitching issues, and am looking into buying either used or 2nd market top. I'm sure replacing it myself will not be easy, but probably be cheaper than having someone else doing it.

The car also has some oil issues:

Sometimes the oil light will come on at low idle, although after checking the oil level it is full. I don't know if the oil check light is defective or the oil pump is not working properly. It does blow some oil but not all the time. Don't know: Bad rings or bad valve guide seals? Any suggestions?