I reported earlier that this vehicle ('96 Stratus ES -- 2.5L V6) sometimes was difficult to start, and somebody suggested a fuel injector problem.
The problem did not reoccur -- until yesterday, when it died completely and had to be helped home (it was stuck protruding into a major road about half a mile from home at 1am, and the sheriff's deputies came along and pushed it home with the push bumper -- very nice of them, when I guess they could have issued a ticket and/or ordered up a tow truck at our expense).
It will not restart, although the battery shows normal voltage (yet the engine does not seem to crank over as fast as normal -- unless I am imagining that), and there is no spark at the one plug I removed, so I am guessing the problem is in the coil/distributor unit, which I understand has to be replaced as a whole. I also understand that these were prone to failure, so ours may have done well to last this long (85K miles). Anything else to check before deciding that this *is* the problem?
Shouldn't the "Check Engine" light have indicated a problem of this kind?
More questions: looking at the AutoZone Web site (just as one example), I see 5 different options, some new, some remanufactured, ranging in price from approx. $220 (with return of core) to $425 and with varying warranties. Any reason to prefer one brand over another? Any better place to buy? How much of a hassle to replace this myself? I have the Haynes and Chilton manuals -- I know, I know.
Perce