Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual - part 3

CAUTION: Do not crank starter motor on disabled
vehicle for more than 15 seconds, starter will over-
heat and could fail.

(7) Allow battery in disabled vehicle to charge to

at least 12.4 volts (75% charge) before attempting to
start engine. If engine does not start within 15 sec-
onds, stop cranking engine and allow starter to cool
(15 minutes), before cranking again.

DISCONNECT CABLE CLAMPS AS FOLLOWS:

• Disconnect BLACK cable clamp from engine

ground on disabled vehicle.

• When using a Booster vehicle, disconnect

BLACK cable clamp from battery negative terminal.
Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery positive
terminal.

• Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery posi-

tive terminal on disabled vehicle.

TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDED TOWING EQUIPMENT

To avoid damage to bumper fascia and air dams

use of a flat bed towing device or wheel lift (Fig. 2) is
recommended. When using a wheel lift towing device,
be sure the unlifted end of disabled vehicle has at
least 100 mm (4 in.) ground clearance. If minimum
ground clearance cannot be reached, use a towing
dolly. If a flat bed device is used, the approach angle
should not exceed 15 degrees.

GROUND CLEARANCE

CAUTION: If vehicle is towed with wheels removed,
install lug nuts to retain brake drums or rotors.

A towed vehicle should be raised until the lifted

wheels are a minimum 100 mm (4 in.) from the
ground. Be sure there is at least 100 mm (4 in.)
clearance between the tail pipe and the ground. If
necessary, remove the wheels from the lifted end of

the vehicle and lower the vehicle closer to the
ground, to increase the ground clearance at the rear
of the vehicle. Install lug nuts on wheel attaching
studs to retain brake drums or rotors.

LOCKED VEHICLE TOWING

When a locked vehicle must be towed with the

front wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly or flat
bed hauler.

FLAT TOWING WITH TOW BAR

Four speed electronic transaxle vehicles can be flat

towed at speeds not to exceed 72 km/h (44 mph) for
not more than 160 km (100 miles). The steering col-
umn must be unlocked and gear selector in neutral.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW TOWING ATTACHMENT
DEVICES TO CONTACT THE FUEL TANK OR LINES,
FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT. DO NOT LIFT OR TOW
VEHICLE

BY FRONT

REAR

BUMPER,

BUMPER ENERGY ABSORBER UNITS. DO NOT
VENTURE UNDER A LIFTED VEHICLE IF NOT SUP-
PORTED PROPERLY ON SAFETY STANDS. DO NOT
ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN A TOWED VEHI-
CLE. USE A SAFETY CHAIN THAT IS INDEPENDENT
FROM THE TOWING ATTACHMENT DEVICE.

CAUTION: Do not damage brake lines, exhaust sys-
tem, shock absorbers, sway bars, or any other
under vehicle components when attaching towing
device to vehicle. Do not attach towing device to
front or rear suspension components. Do not
secure vehicle to towing device by the use of front
or

rear

suspension

steering

components.

Remove or secure loose or protruding objects from
a damaged vehicle before towing. Refer to state and
local rules and regulations before towing a vehicle.
Do not allow weight of towed vehicle to bear on
lower fascia, air dams, or spoilers.

FLAT BED TOWING TIE DOWNS

CAUTION: Do not tie vehicle down by attaching
chains or cables to suspension components or
engine mounts, damage to vehicle can result.

JX vehicles can be tied to a flat bed device using

the reinforced loops located under the front and rear
bumpers on the drivers side of the vehicle. There are
also four reinforced elongated holes for T or R hooks
located on the bottom of the front frame rail torque
boxes behind the front wheels and forward of the
rear wheels inboard of the rocker panel weld seam.

Fig. 2 Recommended Towing Equipment

1 – WHEEL LIFT
2 – FLAT BED

LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE

0 - 9

SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

TOWING – FRONT WHEEL LIFT

Chrysler Corporation recommends that a vehicle be

towed with the front end lifted, whenever possible. A
90 cm (36 in.) length of 4x4 wood beam can be placed
between the wheel lift device and the bottom of the
fascia to prevent damage to vehicle during the lifting
operation. The beam can removed after lifting the
front of the vehicle.

TOWING – REAR WHEEL LIFT

If a vehicle cannot be towed with the front wheels

lifted, the rear wheels can be lifted provided the fol-
lowing guide lines are observed.

CAUTION: Do not use steering column lock to
secure steering wheel during towing operation.

• Unlock steering column and secure steering

wheel in straight ahead position with a clamp device
designed for towing.

• Place front wheels on a towing dolly.

HOISTING RECOMMENDATIONS

Refer to Owner’s Manual provided with vehicle for

proper emergency jacking procedures.

WARNING: THE

HOISTING

AND

JACK

LIFTING

POINTS PROVIDED ARE FOR A COMPLETE VEHI-
CLE. WHEN THE ENGINE OR REAR SUSPENSION
IS REMOVED FROM A VEHICLE, THE CENTER OF
GRAVITY IS ALTERED MAKING SOME HOISTING
CONDITIONS UNSTABLE. PROPERLY SUPPORT OR
SECURE VEHICLE TO HOISTING DEVICE WHEN
THESE CONDITIONS EXIST.

CAUTION: Do not position hoisting device on sus-
pension components, damage to vehicle can result.

Fig. 3 Hoisting And Jacking Points

0 - 10

LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE

SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

EXHAUST SYSTEM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

EXHAUST SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
CATALYTIC CONVERTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
HEAT SHIELDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
EXHAUST FLEX-JOINT COUPLING. . . . . . . . . . . . 3

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

EXHAUST SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

EXHAUST SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

CLEANING AND INSPECTION

EXHAUST SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ADJUSTMENTS

EXHAUST SYSTEM ALIGNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

EXHAUST SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

The exhaust system has a front mounted catalytic

converter with flex-joint, center mounted resonator,
and rear muffler (Fig. 1). Band clamps are used in
two locations to connect system components (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 Exhaust System

1 – CATALYTIC CONVERTER
2 – RESONATOR
3 – MUFFLER

4 – CLAMP
5 – CLAMP

EXHAUST SYSTEM

11 - 1

CATALYTIC CONVERTER

DESCRIPTION

The under-floor, three-way catalytic converter inlet

is connected to the exhaust manifold by use of a flex
joint and gasket. The outlet connects to the exhaust
system.

OPERATION

The three-way catalytic converter simultaneously

converts three exhaust emissions into harmless
gases. Specifically, HC and CO emissions are con-
verted into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) are converted into elemen-
tal Nitrogen (N) and water. The three-way catalyst is
most efficient in converting HC, CO and NOx at the
stoichiometric air fuel ratio of 14.7:1.

The oxygen content in a catalyst is important for

efficient conversion of exhaust gases. When a high
oxygen content (lean) air/fuel ratio is present for an
extended period, oxygen content in a catalyst can
reach a maximum. When a rich air/fuel ratio is
present for an extended period, the oxygen content in
the catalyst can become totally depleted. When this
occurs, the catalyst fails to convert the gases. This is
known as catalyst “punch through.

Catalyst operation is dependent on its ability to

store and release the oxygen needed to complete the

emissions-reducing chemical reactions. As a catalyst
deteriorates, its ability to store oxygen is reduced.
Since the catalyst’s ability to store oxygen is some-
what related to proper operation, oxygen storage can
be used as an indicator of catalyst performance.
Refer to the appropriate Powertrain Diagnostic Pro-
cedure for diagnosis of a catalyst related Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC).

The combustion reaction caused by the catalyst

releases additional heat in the exhaust system, caus-
ing temperature increases in the area of the reactor
under severe operating conditions. Such conditions
can exist when the engine misfires or otherwise does
not operate at peak efficiency. Do not remove spark
plug wires from plugs or by any other means short
out cylinders, if exhaust system is equipped with a
catalytic converter. Failure of the catalytic converter
can occur due to temperature increases caused by
unburned fuel passing through the converter. This
deterioration of the catalyst core can result in exces-
sively high emission levels, noise complaints, and
exhaust restrictions.

The use of catalysts also involves some non-auto-

motive problems. Unleaded gasoline must be used to
avoid poisoning the catalyst core. Do not allow engine
to operate above 1200 RPM in neutral for extended
periods over 5 minutes. This condition may result in
excessive exhaust system/floor pan temperatures
because of no air movement under the vehicle.

CAUTION: Due to exterior physical similarities of
some catalytic converters with pipe assemblies,
extreme care should be taken with replacement
parts.

There

are

internal

converter

differences

required in some parts of the country (particularly
vehicles

built

for

States

with

strict

emission

requirements).

HEAT SHIELDS

DESCRIPTION

The exhaust system heat shields are attached to

the under body of the vehicle (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2 Band Clamp

1 – CLAMP SIZE
2 – TORQUE SPECIFICATION

11 - 2

EXHAUST SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

Content .. 1 2 3 4 ..