I start it the engine turns over and everything it just will not start?

KGK0911

MEMBER
1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
156,000 MILES

I have a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. In the last month I have had trouble starting it. I had a new fuel filter put on it in feb. Of this year and man was it clogged! Now when I start it the engine turns over and everything it just will not start. I can hear the fuel pump when I turn it on. Sounds like it is charging. But sometimes it cranks right on up and sometimes I turn on the switch and let it sit there for a minutes and them turn on the switch and it cranks. Sometimes it takes much longer and a lot of gas pedal pumping. I dont know if this is related but sometimes when i'm driving my car will jerks back for a split second and all the light on the left side of my dashboard will light up but it will start back running fine. It does this sometimes three and four times back to back to back. This is starting to irritate me. Please give me some advice.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

There are a number of things that can cause this, but the most likely thing would be a fuel issue.

Here are a couple guides that will get us started:

https://youtu.be/dCjmRL3p4Cs

We need to check the fuel pressure so this will help with that:

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

Once we know what the fuel pressure is, we will have a better idea as to what the issue is. However, pumping the gas pedal on this vehicle is not going to do anything as you are just opening the throttle and plate which will allow more air in but the throttle body will control this on its own. So you don't need to pump the accelerator to help with starting the vehicle.

If you hold the accelerator down and the engine starts then we have too much fuel as this is called a clear flood start which cuts the injectors but I doubt this is what is happening.

I think you have an issue with not enough fuel, so let's check the pressure and go from there.

Thanks