1994 Dodge Intrepid Car has bad cranking problem

DEMONICA14

MEMBER
1994 DODGE INTREPID

1994 Dodge Intrepid 6 cyl Automatic

My car will sometimes crank and it will run for about an hour at the max. When I do manage to get it running it will stay on for very long periods of time while it is in park, but when it is driven it will start to jerk and that lets me know that it about to cut off. I had a local guy take a look at it and he said to try a fuel filter 1st and if that doesn't work then I will need a fuel pump. My altenator and battery are in good shape, and I just got a tune up done. But the car is still not drive ready. The dodge place wants to charge me $100 an hour for a manual diagnostic b/c my check engine indicator isn't on. But I refuse to do that b/c there is no garuntee thay'll find my problem.

1 Reply

CH112063

MECHANIC
1,320 POSTS

I do know how you feel. What you describe could be a number of things and from reading your situation the problem may take quite a bit of work. I am sure that the man who told you it may need a fuel pump performed all the tests to determine that your engine was not getting the proper fuel pressure. Either way, if you have never replaced it, its a good idea. At a dealer, someone would connect both a diagnostic computer, which would tell them if any codes that are not just emissions related are present, also testing for fuel system problems. Under the cars warranty, Dodge would re-imburse the dealerships for the time it took to find the problem. But no more. A diagnostic procedure book is hundreds of pages, and now there is so many possibilities, a full check of the overall value and condition should be considered. If the man is correct, and I think he may, by tour description, your probably doing the right thing. Make sure he takes a look at your other expensive systems, if they are cause for concern, from age or maintenance. I feel you may be correct in trying the pump first. Just take a look at your transmission fluid and cooling-lubricating system, just to be sure one of those are not ready to fail. Then it would be expensive and buying another may be a better thing to do. I loved the Intrepid. Good luck, anytime.