hard starting after sitting all night

Hello,

It sounds like you have an engine coolant sensor that is not working right here are two guides to help us see whats going on and the location of the sensor so you can change it out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

new sensor cost $34.00 not to hard to install

Hello, My transmission delays a few seconds from park to drive when the engine is at normal operating temperature after i turn the car off and turn it on again. It does not delay in any other position except drive. Sometimes when i shift from P to D the car will remain neutral for a few seconds. It only delays once (when i turn on the car at operating temp)and after that it does not delay anymore. It was rebuilt last year. I have asked before and all i have gotten was a "bring it over" by aamco (and they are supposed to help me). Thank you.

More info: I have smelled the tranny fluid and it still smells new (it was changed after the rebuild around May 2012). It is normal color and it is at the right level.

You should send it back to AAMCO

Hey guys,
2002 Chrysler Neon
2.0L SOHC engine
65,000 KM
Auto transmission

Occasionally, when the car has been sitting overnight, it will take 5-6 attempts to start. Meaning that, I start it, it cranks 5 times, I shut it off, try it again, cranks 5 times, etc. repeated 5-6 times before it starts. Sometimes, will start on the first attempt, but stalls right away. And then is hard to start.

Once it starts, runs ok.

After a 10 minute drive or so, re-starting is no problem.

Coincidentally - right when this started - my gas mileage dipped to 25 MPG from the usual 32 MPG.

My local dealer has advised that the battery has failed the load test and needs replacing. I am no expert by any means, but, it turns over fine, just has a hard time starting. Seeking a 2nd opinion here.

Appreciate any thoughts you guys could offer.

TIA,
Knapps

Not that it has anything to do with the problem, but the car is 5yrs old, the battery is or should be just about done by now.I would start with a fuel pressure test to see if the pump is bleeding all pressure down overnight, this would cause a condition where you would have excessive cranking in the AM

Engine Mechanical problem
2001 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 134K miles

Sometimes has to crank several times (2-3 tries) before it will start. Usually does it only after sitting for a while. Doesn't do it all the time though. After it starts it runs fine with no codes. Has new plugs and wires and battery. Sound like fuel pump or regulator starting to go? I believe this model has regulator and filter as part of the pump, is that correct? I can change the pump no problem, just wanted your opinion first. Also, what is the proper fuel pressure on this vehicle at the rail?

Hard to pinpoint the problem when it is intermittent and runs fine otherwise, I know. Anything else come to mind that I should look at?

Thanks

Hi amanaman1, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Fuel pressure is 53-63 psi lower than this could be an injector/s and fuel pressure regulator leaking also test the engine coolant temperature sensor-

Ok, thanks for the reply. Daughter finally brought the car over and let it sit for a while. I checked pressure at the rail after it sat...was zero. Turned on key to energize fuel pump and did not hear pump and had no pressure. Turned key off and back on and pump pressurized to 60 psi and then car started fine. Turned off car and watched pressure rapidly drop to 5 psi within 30 seconds. Cranked engine and pressure came back up to 60 and then car started. Turned off car and pressure dropped rapidly again to 0. Sounds like a fuel pump to me but how would one check for a leaking injector(s)?

Thanks

Check the fuel pressure regulator could be ruptured located on top of fuel pump module-if okay To check the injectors you have to remove the fuel rail along with the injector intact

Ok, so remove the rail w/injectors intact and let the pump pressurize the rail without cranking the engine and see if any injectors leak fuel through? Is that how I'd do it?

Yes sir

Ok. I'll check that first but I have a feeling I'll be dropping another fuel tank in the very near future. Thanks again.

i have an 03 dodge neon. the check engine light has been on for awhile now. up until lately ive had to problems with it. now it takes a few turns until it will start. it turns over fine but doesnt want to start. any idea what the problem could be.

Best if you can get the codes
cycle key on off on off on read trouble codes in the odometer area
let me know what you have for codes

the code i got was P0440

p0440 :This code is monitored with the engine running. Fuel level greater than 12 percent. Ambient temperature between 39-89°F (4-32°C). The code is set when the PCM does not see the Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) switch close during the medium/large leak test. The PCM will then increase the vacuum supply to the EVAP system by increasing flow through the EVAP Purge valve. If the switch does not close with an increase in vacuum, an error is detected. This is a two trip fault.

Possible Causes:

Visual And Physical Inspection
EVAP Purge Solenoid Vacuum Supply Inspection
EVAP Purge Solenoid Stuck Closed
NVLD Switch Operation
(Z1) Ground Circuit Open
NVLD Assembly
(K107) NVLD Switch Signal Circuit Open
Evaporative Emission Leak Detection
PCM


i do not think that code should effect the car starting and driving
and i would start by checking the engine for tune up

Two weeks ago the car had a tranny line that runs through the rad blow...Radiator is brand new, tranny(with a new filter each time) and collant systems were flushed mulitiple times to get things back to normal, plugs/wires/air filter are brand new, oil change was also performed at that time. No more then a thousand miles since all this work.
When starting the started sounds good, battery charge is good...all in all it seems like a fuel delivery or spark issue. The only odd thing is that the belt squeals very loudly when it's having this trouble so a pulley could have a problem or it needs a new belt but I don't see how this would cause a starting issue. My brother in law was thinking O2 sensor but usually when that's an issue a car will run rough at idle or when running and this car purrs like a kitten once running.
Any help or anything I could have overlooked would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Jesse

if the car not running at all
check timing belt
I dont like the belt noise thing
remove belt and check pulleys for binding or causing the belt to slip
if its an o2 sensor I would suspected a code
you can disconnect the sensor and try and start as the PCM will default to last good reading
if car start and some times it doesn’t
have to start by checking spark and fuel pressure
when the problem occur

when started sounds faint but when you actually get it started it is loud for a Neon. the rpm act funny when driving and the car runs loud and gets louder as you go faster along with a kind of sputtering noise. does anyone know what I have to do to fix it or is the car just done?

not actually seeing this, check compression and for exhaust leaks. scan for codes or have auto parts do it for free and check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it . then you can decide from there. See link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Hi TENGEL21,

If you decide you would like to conduct the scan yourself here is a link to an article that features written step by step instructions and pictures explaining how to do the scan yourself. Also, I have included a link to our YouTube channel with a how to video on code scanning.

This is applicable even if your check engine light is not on.

Most scanners are inexpensive to purchase, you can purchase one online from sites like Amazon.com

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Once you have the codes please get back to us so that we can further assist you. We are always happy to help.

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.com.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin

Takes too long to crank, what might cause this?

scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it. see link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Hello QUINTEZ ECHOLS,


Here is a link to some helpful information that includes an article t with written step by step instructions and pictures explaining how to do the scan yourself, also I have included a link to our YouTube channel with a how to video on code scanning.

This is applicable even if your check engine light is not on.

Most scanners are inexpensive to purchase, you can purchase one online from sites like Amazon.com

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Once you have the codes please get back to us so that we can further assist you. We are always happy to
help.

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.com.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin

Electrical problem
2000 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

When I start this car it will crank from 4-5 sec then immediately starts, I have checked for spark and the car gets no spark for this 4-5 sec delay it does not matter if its the 1st time being ran for the day or the 5th time in a row of being started the delay is constant and because of no ignition
I have checked fuel pressure apx 49 psi I have replaced the coil pack plugs wires, cam position sensor, crank position sensor,

if have no scanner to check what the PCM data
try and switch the ASD relay
see if that help

Engine Mechanical problem
2000 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

replaced timing belt car starts then backfire when I take my feet off gas patel it cuts off and is difficult to start back.

Hi there,

I would be re checking the timing marks and any sensor that you may have disconnected, start here.

mark (mhpautos)

Check and verify the valve timing if its still correct. Are you getting spark and fuel??

Engine Performance problem
1998 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My 98 neon is very slow to start when the key is turned over. You can put your foot on the gas but it doesn't help the situation. It will crank for a while and then I turn the key off. Turn the key on the second time and it will fire up. The car runs fine once it is started. I believe there is an issue with fuel getting to the engine whether it be a filter or a pump?

Yeah, I agree about the fuel issue. Use a gage and check fuel pressure, key on, engine off. If you cycle the key to or three times without cranking, it can help the fuel system pressure up. If it's been a while since you changed the filter, that isn't a bad idea. Just make sure there isn't any pressure on the system before you take any lines loose.

I have a 1999 dodge neon, 2.0 engine. It has 123,000 miles. The engine cranks real slow to start, but starts. I checked the battery voltage and it is a little over 12v with the engine off. After starting the engine it goes to 14.3 volts. The battery was put in in 2009. Does this sound like the battery is just weak, or could my timing be off due to the mileage and the timing belt not being changed yet. Just yesterday it started really rough and the check engine light came on, but finally settled out. The fault codes were P0300, P0302, P0303. One of my plugs is gapped at .040.
What do you think.

Thanks

THe codes are for cylender misfires. That wouldn't cause it. As far as the battery, one would think it is fine being that new, but it wouldn't hurt to have it load tested at a parts store. If it checks good, then I recommend having the starter draw checked. It may be bad and drawing too many amps.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

Thanks for the advice, I will proceed.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

I have a 1998 Dodge neon with a bad filler hose. After I put gas in the car it has trouble starting. Is this because of the filler hose or is there a bigger problem?

What is wrong with the filler hose? Are you over filling the tank? That can cause fuel to get into the evap system and cause problems for you.