My wife's 2000 Neon is suddenly having trouble starting cold - you have to turn ignition key twice to get it going. 88K miles, no other problems. Seems to be OK when the engine is warm, starts on the first try without a problem. Someone told us that the fuel pump may be on its way out. Any thoughts?
Thanks much.
Andre
chrysler neon starts on 2nd try Group: rec.autos.tech Date: Sun, Sep 14, 2003, 7:25pm (EDT-3) From: snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Andrei338)
Approximately 9/14/03 19:25, Andrei338 uttered for posterity:
Try turning the key on and wait 20 seconds or so, then turn it off and try to start. If the fuel system is draining down, this should start it right away. Other than that, unless you can hear the fuel pump operating, kinda hard to say if it is putting out correct pressure without testing it.
most efi systems these days work this way: when you turn the key to the 'on' position, the fuel pump runs for 2 or 3 seconds to charge the lines (there shouldn't be all that much pressure loss anyways)
cycle the key 'on' 'off' 'on' 'off' 'on' 'off' 'on' 'start' and see if the car starts. this is a typical neon problem, well, dodge problem. the check valve in the pump goes bad and all the pressure is lost (usually overnight), so the pump has to restore pressure first (can't start without at least 30psi) and it can't restore a totally depressurized system in only 2 seconds.
depending on what it's worth to you, it might cost a very expensive fuel pump. or don't even worry about it and just remember to cycle the key a few times to get the pressure back up.
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