Engine Performance Diagnostic Table

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Dodge Journey and 2015 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSE	CORRECTION
ENGINE WILL NOT START	1. Weak battery	1. Charge or replace as necessary. Refer to BATTERY, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
	2. Corroded or loose battery connections.	2. Clean and tighten battery connections. Refer to CLEANING .
	3. Faulty engine starting system	3. Diagnose engine starting system. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
	4. Faulty coil(s) or control unit	4. Replace ignition coil. Refer to COIL, IGNITION, REMOVAL .
	5. Incorrect spark plug gap	5. Set gap. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
	6. Incorrect cam timing	6. Verify cam timing. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
	7. Contamination in fuel system	7. Clean fuel system and replace fuel filter.
	8. Faulty fuel pump or wiring	8. Repair or replace as necessary.
	9. Faulty Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor	9. Replace the Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor. Refer to SENSOR, CAMSHAFT POSITION, REMOVAL .
	10. Faulty Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor	10. Replace Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor. Refer to SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION, REMOVAL .
ENGINE STALLS OR ROUGH IDLE	1. Idle speed too low	1. Test minimum air flow. (Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic Information)
	2. Incorrect fuel mixture	2. Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic Information).
	3. Faulty ignition coil(s)	3. Replace ignition coil. Refer to COIL, IGNITION, REMOVAL .
	4. Incorrect cam timing	4. Verify cam timing. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
	5. Vacuum leak	5. Inspect intake manifold and vacuum hoses, repair or replace as necessary.
	6. Faulty Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor	6. (Replace sensor. Refer to SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION, REMOVAL .
ENGINE LOSS OF POWER	1. Dirty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs	1. Correct as necessary. Refer to SPARK PLUG, REMOVAL .
	2. Contamination in fuel system	2. Clean system and replace fuel filter.
	3. Faulty fuel pump	3. Test and replace the fuel pump. Refer to MODULE, FUEL PUMP, REMOVAL .
	4. Incorrect cam timing	4. Verify cam timing. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
	5. Leaking cylinder head gasket	5. Replace cylinder head gasket. Refer to CYLINDER HEAD, REMOVAL .
	6. Low compression	6. Determine the cause and repair as necessary. Refer to CYLINDER COMPRESSION TEST .
	7. Burned, warped or pitted valves	7. Replace valves as necessary. Refer to VALVES, INTAKE AND EXHAUST, REMOVAL .
	8. Plugged or restricted exhaust system	8. Perform exhaust restriction test. Install new parts, as necessary. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
	9. Faulty ignition coil	9. Test and replace ignition coil. Refer to COIL, IGNITION, REMOVAL .
ENGINE MISSES ON ACCELERATION	1. Dirty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs	1. Clean spark plugs and set gap. Refer to SPARK PLUG, REMOVAL .
	2. Contamination in Fuel System	2. Clean fuel system and replace fuel filter.
	3. Burned, warped or pitted valves	3. Replace valves as necessary. Refer to VALVES, INTAKE AND EXHAUST, REMOVAL .
	4. Faulty ignition coil	4. Test and replace ignition coil. Refer to COIL, IGNITION, REMOVAL .
ENGINE MISSES AT HIGH SPEED	1. Dirty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs	1. Correct as necessary. Refer to SPARK PLUG, REMOVAL .
	2. Faulty ignition coil	2. Test and replace ignition coil. Refer to COIL, IGNITION, REMOVAL .
	3. Contamination in fuel system	3. Clean system and replace fuel filter.
	4. Dirty fuel injector(s)	4. Test and replace as necessary (Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic Information).