What is it with Chrysler? I have a 2001 PT Cruiser that is only three years old. Early this summer when I had the inspection, I asked the dealer to try and determine why the engine lopped at idle (it never had before). When I picked up the car the ticket said the computer was improperly programed. Ever since that date at the dealership I have had persistent stalling (engine dies at idle) or worse, jerking as if it could be the transmission during acceleration.
I first noticed it pulling into a parking space. With foot on break the engine died. That's when I took it to the dealer and they had the "program error".
We have a 95 Voyager that does the same thing. Cleaning the throttle body seemed to help it but not the PT Cruiser. I now have only 30,000 miles on the PT in 40 months of ownership but this is puzzling.
It seems to occur the next day just after long trips of 200 plus miles on the highway. It usually occurs within a few minutes of ignition and then you will have no more problems after the first mile or so.