1997 Dodge Intrepid Fuel Problems?

YAMATARU

MEMBER
1997 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
154,000 MILES

My main problem is that my car will no longer start, after 14 months of solid, no-problem driving. It turns over, but that's all: it seems like there is no fuel, but I added a couple gallons to it to see if that would fix the problem. I pushed down on the gas pedal (I know that being an automatic car, you shouldn't need to and it could flood the engine, but I tapped it lightly to see if I could get it to do anything), and it felt like pushing on nothing at all.

When the car battery turns on, and after the starting fails, there's a strange humming sound coming from the back passenger side (where the gas tank is).

We suspect it's a fuel pump or fuel injection problem. I've heard a couple people tell me that it could be the fuel pump shutoff switch. Could this be it, and if so, where is the switch located?

It might also be helpful to add that I've been missing a gas cap for about 6 months. Could it be a fuel filter problem?

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do below and see what happens

Get a carb cleaner and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light.

Fuel pump and Injector/s checks out-start checking the ignition system-power to coil, coil/s itself, distributor pick-up, control module, Cam and Crankshaft sensors.

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time