99 Chrysler Sebring 2.5L V6 P0171 Fault: Engine Dies, No Power, Fuel Pump Sound, Post-Service Diagnosis

The distributor is a known failure point in the 99 Chrysler Sebring 2.5L V6 engine, especially after maintenance work or when exposed to heat and vibration.

I ended up spending $600 for a new distributor — but this seems high given the part's cost and availability in remanufactured units. I suspect it may have been damaged during installation or replaced with an old unit.

After engine repairs, the ignition system — particularly the distributor’s internal igniter — can crack due to mechanical stress. This often leads to open circuits under the cap, causing misfires and poor performance. I've seen this happen during rotor replacement. A remanufactured distributor is typically much cheaper than $600, even in Canada. I'd recommend discussing a cost split with the original repair shop — especially if the issue arose post-repair.

The total cost was actually around $560, including labor. The engine access is quite difficult, so labor time is significant. Hopefully this fixes the problem for now.

Removing the upper plenum can greatly improve access to the distributor and ignition components — it's surprisingly straightforward once you get used to it.

I had to take it back to the shop. First, they didn't perform a test drive because the car was low on fuel. They mentioned that the catalytic converter glowed red after just 15 minutes of idling — I asked what could cause this, and they said: 'I don’t know; I didn’t run diagnostics.' After driving less than a mile, it felt sluggish. I returned home after about 4 miles, where I noticed strong heat coming from the catalytic converter. Final repairs: head gaskets, water pump, spark plugs, and new distributor. I'm now wondering what else might be wrong — and when to stop spending money on this vehicle.

It seems likely the shop made a mistake or failed to provide proper service. Unless this is one of the most neglected Sebring models I've ever seen!

LOL — it may be the most neglected Sebring I’ve ever seen! My daughter was driving it, not leaving home. Anyway, after discussion, many now believe a clogged catalytic converter is the likely cause.

A clogged catalytic converter remains a plausible explanation for P0171 and engine stalling symptoms.

I can't believe this. I went out to inspect the exhaust — there was plenty of exhaust flow, and I could smell raw fuel. This suggests the engine isn’t burning fuel properly. Upon checking the so-called new distributor, I found that three spark plug wires from Bank 1 were not connected at all — they just lay loose. The back three appeared slightly loose. So, I'm running on only three cylinders. I’m relieved the shop is closed today — I wouldn’t have wanted to show up in such a state. Also, why isn't the check engine light illuminating? And how does a new distributor look with an old cap installed? I am deeply frustrated right now.

Not all repair shops are equal. I’ve had mechanics make mistakes, especially when younger technicians (in their early 20s) handle jobs without sufficient experience — they often rush to finish and take the customer’s money. Dealerships generally provide better quality work but at a much higher cost. For independent shops, it's wise to ask for referrals and verify reputation. The failure to connect three spark plug wires is not just careless — it reflects incompetence. This raises serious concerns about other potential errors in the repair process. If the cap appears used (perhaps simply old), then either: - The shop purchased a used distributor from a wrecking yard, or - They reused the original cap on a new distributor (which is not standard practice — distributors typically come with new caps). Take a close look at the distributor to assess whether it looks genuine. Serial numbers may help trace origin and manufacturing date.

Visually, it appears they used the old cap — the distributor under the cap looked very clean. However, given that the shop charged over $300 for the unit, I would expect a new cap to be included.