16th Feb 2010, 16:12
I bought a 1997 Dodge Avenger in March of 2009. I have the stalling problem, foggy headlamps, and a transmission leak somewhere. The car was cute, and didn't start stalling until a week after I bought it. The funny thing is that it only stalls when I am stopped at a stop sign or light, backing out slow or turning slow. I have taken it to the Dodge dealer, but it would not stall from them. They updated the computer, but couldn't do anything else because nothing came up on the computer.
Oh yeah, and my battery seems to die if it sits for more than 2 days. The first time it did that, it was a fuse to the automatic locks that don't work, and that fixed the issue. Yet again, it is dying for some reason. Anyone had the same issues and got them fixed? Please let me know.
7th Jun 2010, 20:17
I bought my 97 Avenger 2.5 ES brand new with five (5) kms. It's been the best car that I ever owned. The car looks awesome in black, tinted windows, aluminum rims with 17" tires. I really took care of it. Changed oil every 3000kms or 2 months, whichever came first.
The car has 125,000kms now. Never did anything to the car until it hit 100,000kms, and then changed all four (4) original 17" Goodyear tires, flushed transmission fluid completely and added new, flushed radiator fluid and added new.
At 125,000kms I replaced both lower control arm assembly; it only needed passenger, but replaced both.
There is only one thing that this car should of had more of: horse power (225-275hp).
15th Jul 2010, 15:03
I have a 96 Avenger, and it stalled and won't start back up. Could it be the crankshaft sensor???
5th Apr 2011, 20:37
Buy blank keys online and have a local locksmith make copies of the key. That's what I did with my 97 Avenger key.
24th May 2011, 07:16
I have the same problem. Had the mount replaced and speed sensor, along with the valve body. Did not take care of the problem.
13th Sep 2011, 13:32
If you go to Autozone, they should have a book for the 1995-2000 Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, and Dodge Avenger that tells you where everything is located.
18th Oct 2011, 17:53
I have a 97 Dodge Avenger. Bought it back in 2006. By the time my warranty was over 3 months later, I was getting a new transmission. Was okay for a little while.
Since then I have replaced the control arm on both sides, rewired most of the wiring that goes to the distributor after they fried, replaced the distributor, distributor cap, CV axles, fuel filters twice, and the crank sensor.
Mind you, this car sat in my yard for over two years because of the wiring issue. Now it stalls at a stop, and is slow to gain speed, even when I floor the gas pedal. It was doing it some before, but stopped and now the problem is back. My mechanic is stumped, and says it may be the catalytic converter (which because there is no emissions stuff in there, it can run without). He said that I can go to a muffler shop and have them replace it with a pipe, but that my engine light will be on thereafter. Could the problem just be the camshaft position sensor?
I am a college student, and can't keep putting money into this car. Help!
19th Oct 2011, 10:50
Don't put another dime in it... you have a money pit and a lemon... Sell it for what you can get for it. Also consult your annual Consumers Report Annual Auto Guide that comes out every year in April. They recommend a lot of great cars for under $4,000. Also pay the $40-80 dollars to have a mechanic inspect it. Quit wasting your money; with the economy being bad right now, bad cars are being dumped on an unsuspecting public.
3rd Feb 2012, 19:03
I just had a key made. Had a hard time finding the right one. The Dodge has a Mitsubishi ignition. The key is an M-1, found at ACE Hardware.
6th Jul 2012, 21:09
Had the same thing happen to me on my 1997 Avenger. You have a bad ground, or possibly your battery is hitting your hood and it's grounding thru the throttle cable. You will have to find where the bad ground is and fix that, and replace your throttle cable.
10th May 2014, 15:20
Very well could be I had the exact same issue. Even bought a new computer as well. Mine ended up being the coil.
13th Apr 2015, 16:15
I've had the same problem and fixed it. The ground wire from the firewall to the throttle body has broken off. Replace the ground wire and then replace the throttle cable, and you should be all good.
5th Feb 2010, 20:13
In October 2009, I bought a 97 Avenger ES for my 16 year old son (birthday gift). The car had many issues, but that was fine since I wanted to show him how to fix a car.
We started off by going to the local shops and getting quotes for the exhaust, tires, alignments, ball joints, cap, rotor, plugs, wires, front rotors, and brakes all around. As I said, needed work!
Anyhow, after all the quotes, we ordered all the parts and bought the Haynes manual. Then the fun began! We managed to fix all the issues less one! The check engine light is on stating multiple misfires. I have been through the electrical and fuel, funny thing is, the car idles and drives very nice - no true indication of any misfire (outside of the light).
Finally I broke down and brought it in for professional help, and found oil getting to the plugs - silly me. We then changed the plug seals and the issue vanished for four whole days. Now it has returned, but the plug seals are perfect, no oil getting in around them. I figure what little oil is making it to the plugs is enough to give me the light, but does not seem to affect performance. Gas mileage steady at 22 mpg (what should it be). I have been thinking about a hotter plug - any inputs would be appreciated.