My '95 Intrepid has been acting funny for a long time, but mechanics that have tried to fix it haven't, so its just getting worse.

More and more often, when starting, the guages and transmission indicating lights (P R N D L ) will not come on and the car won't upshift (sticks in about 2nd gear).

Now it's starting to do it while driving, and drops into low gear sometimes at speeds that must be about to drop the tranny....when the brake is hit it will switch from air conditioning to rear defrost and heat and blinking psycho lights, and now just dead stalls sometimes.

Is it time to bite the bullet and take it to the dealer, or is there anything at all that I can do, or look at, or at least clue a cheaper mechanic into?

There's also always been a problem with a thumping sound that would never happen when taken to the dealer (like taking your kid to the doctor and they stop being sick for that particular 5 minuits). It happens sporadically when turning or braking and has gotten much louder...like the axles are about to fly off. Has anyone else experienced this and found it? I think the mechanic/dealers think we're hypochondriacs.

Any input would be greatly appreciated,

Joe

As far as the thumping gos, I just had my '96 in the shop for strange sounds coming from the front end(thumping) & it turned out to be my strut nuts were loose. Caused a bit of damage too. He said I brought it in just in time. He also said this is common on heavy front wheel drive cars. Good luck.

I have experienced annoying sounds in front suspension: rubber bushoings at both ends of traction bars were really exhausted and traction bars would always knock on end washers either in accelation or braking. Happened in turning too. You could see the whole wheel move forward and backwards in the wheel well. Inexpensive kit allows for replacement with great results...ahh you need to be convincing to remove the old one piece rubber end: there is a enlargement on the traction shaft at the center of the rubber bushing that makes it difficult to remove. The replacement comes as a 2 parts assembly.

Have them check the speed sensor.

My 99 did the same thing and thats what it was