Repair 7

The computer in a car generates an error code and turns on the "Check Engine Light" when it runs a diagnostic of one of the electrical circuits in the car and finds something that is out of bounds. Error code 441 refers to the part of the cars emissions system that deals with fumes in the gas tank. It has to be dealt with before the error code can be cleared.

Error 441

All fuel tanks allow the fuel inside to evaporate slightly. Before emissions controls, the car simply dumped the fumes into the outside air, increasing pollution. Cars with emission control systems send these fumes to a canister filled with charcoal to be stored. At intervals, the emissions system opens a valve in the canister and purges the fumes by drawing them through a hose to the engine. The computer chip checks the process by pumping air out of the system to see if the canister responds. If it doesnt, it reports error 441, which means that something has interfered with this process and the canister hasnt been purged.

Possible Causes of Error 441

The error could come about because of a faulty canister or switch, a broken or damaged hose, a failure in the computer chip that controls the purge or a break in the electrical circuit controlling the process.

Cures for Error 441

Depending on the cause of error 441, the cure could be replacing the pump that tests the system, replacing the canister or hoses, repairing or replacing a component in the electrical circuit, replacing or reprogramming the cars computer chip or replacing the vacuum switch controlling the flow of fumes from the canister to the engine.

The Chrysler Sebring is a series of mid-size cars in production since 1995. The 2001 model was the first of the second generation Sebrings, which was produced until 2005. The 2001 Chrysler Sebring has a mechanical water pump, like other modern vehicles. The engine drives the water pump with a belt, which circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around the engine. The water pump in a 2001 Chrysler Sebring is attached to the front of the engine block.

Instructions

1

Allow the vehicle to sit overnight to ensure the coolant is not hot. Use a socket wrench to disconnect the cable to the negative battery terminal, so you dont accidentally start the engine.

2

Place a sealable container under the radiator and remove the drain plug for the radiator. Allow the entire contents of the radiator to drain into the container. Replace the drain plug and seal the container of coolant.

3

Use the socket wrench to remove the tensioner pulley for the timing belt.

4

Use the socket wrench to disconnect the brace for the alternator. Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump and disconnect the water pump. Discard the O-ring for the water pump.

5

Clean the O-ring mating surfaces on the water pump and the engine block with a shop towel to remove any remaining material from the O-ring. Place the new O-ring into position on the new water pump and install the water pump to the engine. Tighten the mounting bolts for the water pump to 117 in. lbs. with a torque wrench. Install the brace for the alternator and tighten its mounting bolts to 17 ft. lbs. Install the tensioner pulley for the timing belt.

6

Connect the cable for the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Refill the cooling system and start the engine. Check for leaks in the cooling system and repair as necessary.

Replacing the alternator on your 2000 Chrysler Sebring is a good project to undertake at home, and it will save you from steep labor charges from the dealership or the repair shop. If the battery is not charging and the car does not stay running without the battery cables attached to the battery, the alternator is more than likely not putting out the voltage required for the proper operation of the ignition system. Removing the alternator from your car allows for bench testing, to verify that the unit is truly faulty.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the car and locate the negative battery cable (it bolts to the inner fender well, on the drivers side of the engine compartment). Remove the bolt with a socket and ratchet, then remove the cable and set it aside, isolating it from any metal surface so that it cannot ground and complete the electrical circuit.

2

Locate the field circuit connector on the rear of the alternator. Depress the locking clip and pull the wire and connector from the alternator. Lay the wire and connector aside.

3

Remove the nut from the "B" terminal on the rear of the alternator with a wrench, then remove the cable from the terminal. Lay the cable aside.

4

Locate the mounting bolt at the top of the alternator and loosen it with a socket and ratchet. Loosen the pivot bolt, then remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley. Set the spacers from the pivot bolt aside for later reuse.

5

Remove the top mounting bolt from the alternator, then raise the alternator out of the engine compartment. Position the new alternator in the engine compartment and insert the upper mounting bolt to hold it in place. Slide the drive belt over the pulley, then insert the pivot bolt, being sure to put the spacers back in the proper order.

6

Pull the bottom of the alternator toward the drivers side of the car until the belt is tight, then tighten the pivot bolt with a socket and ratchet. Tighten the upper mounting bolt with a socket and ratchet once the pivot bolt is secure.

7

Install the large cable on the "B" terminal at the rear of the alternator, followed by the retaining nut; tighten the nut with a wrench, then plug the field circuit connector into the rear of the alternator. Push it in until the locking tab engages.

8

Reinstall the negative battery cable on the drivers side fender well and secure the bolt with a wrench.

The Chrysler Sebring is a mid-size sedan that Chrysler has produced since 1995. The 1998 model is a first-generation Sebring that was in production until 2000. The most common engine in a 1998 Chrysler Sebring is a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter with a multi-port fuel injection. The water pump for these engines is located on the front of the engine block, under the cover for the timing chain. The procedure for installing the water pump requires you to drain the cooling system.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable on the negative terminal of the battery with a socket wrench. Turn the engine crankshaft clockwise so that the first cylinder is at top dead center. This position will align the timing marks on the camshaft sprockets.

2

Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it on jack stands. Disconnect the inner splash shield from the engine with a socket wrench. Remove the accessory drive belts.

3

Place a drain pan under the drain plug of the radiator and remove the drain plug. Allow the coolant to drain into the drain pan. Replace the drain plug and store the coolant for later use.

4

Support the engine with a floor jack and disconnect the right mount for the engine with a socket wrench. Remove the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and camshaft sprockets.

5

Disconnect the attaching bolts for the water pump with a socket wrench and remove the water pump. Discard the O-ring. Clean the mounting surface for the O-ring with a shop rag.

6

Install the new O-ring onto the new water pump and ensure it is properly seated into its groove. Install the water pump and tighten its mounting bolts to 105 pound-inch with a torque wrench. Turn the water pump by hand to ensure that it rotates freely.

7

Connect the camshaft sprockets, timing belt tensioner and timing belt with a socket wrench. Replace the timing belt cover and install the bracket for the right engine mount. Lower the floor jack and connect the right splash shield for the engine.

8

Lower the vehicle with the jack. Install the accessory drive belt and adjust it to the proper tension. Fill the coolant to the proper level and connect the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Start the engine and check for coolant leaks.

Youll know when you develop a crack or a hole in your Chrysler Sebrings resonator. The exhaust note, i.e., the sound your exhaust makes when driving, will drastically change for the worse. That throaty sound youre used to will become distorted and sound like its rattling. Replacing a resonator can cost several hundred dollars that you just might not have to invest right away. If you need a few weeks but you dont want your car to sound like it has a "problem," then patch your resonator with a dab of putty.

Instructions

1

Jack the rear end of the Chrysler Sebring off of the ground with the scissor jack located under the spare tire in the trunk. Jack one side of the car up and place a jack stand under the rear axle. Jack the other side of the cars rear off the ground and place a jack stand under that side. This will allow you to safely raise the rear of the car off of the ground so you can access the cracked resonator.

2

Sand the area around the crack in the resonator. Remove all rust and dirt from the affected area. The surface should be slightly shiny, and you should be able to see bare metal around the crack. The more rust you are able to remove, the less chance you will have of the resonator cracking or rusting through again.

3

Wipe any dirt, grease and sanding dust off of the resonator with naphtha using a clean disposable shop towel. Naphtha is a grease remover and will not leave any residue on the metal that could prevent the high temperature metal repair compound from adhering to the resonators surface.

4

Knead the high temperature metal repair compound in your hand until it softens into a putty. Place the putty into the crack in the resonator. The putty should overlap the metal by 2 to 3 inches in all directions. Push the putty firmly against the metal to ensure a proper seal. According to Permatex.com, their repair compound should be allowed to dry overnight (12 to 18 hours).

The EGR valve of a Chrysler Sebring regulates the flow of air from the exhaust to the intake system in order to control the air temperature and the amount of nitrogen. A faulty EGR valve will result in poor combustion and engine knock, causing the car to rattle or misfire. Because they are calibrated together, the EGR valve and transducer are sold together and must be installed as a set. While the 1998 Sebring has two different locations for the EGR valve, depending on the type of engine, replacing it is a DIY job that will dramatically improve vehicle performance.

Instructions

1

Raise the car hood and disconnect the negative battery terminal. If your 1998 Sebring has a 2.0- or 2.4-liter engine, the EGR valve is located behind the cylinder head, so remove the large tube connecting the air intake to the air filter for added clearance. On the 2.5-liter engine, the EGR valve is to the left of the positive battery terminal, so remove the transmission control module (TCM) for clearance. The TCM is located to the left of the engine fuse box, and the positive battery terminal is secured by a central retainer and retaining screws.

2

Remove the vacuum tubes and electrical connections from both the EGR valve and electrical transducer, including the line to the solenoid, making sure to label where each tube goes for reinstallation. Remove the metal EGR tube leading to the intake manifold and clean its mounting surface. Unfasten the bolts holding the EGR valve and transducer. Carefully remove each component.

3

Loosely connect the EGR tube with the new EGR valve, using new gaskets. Install the new EGR valve and transducer. Once the components are in place, tighten the screws on the EGR tube and any remaining loose bolts. Reconnect all of the vacuum tubes connecting the EGR valve, transducer and solenoid as labeled.

4

Reinstall any components that you removed for access and reconnect the negative battery terminal. Start the engine and carefully listen for a hissing sound that would indicate a vacuum leak. Correct any vacuum leaks, if necessary, using a small amount of gasket-making compound to seal connections.