The engine won't start up?

Tiny
PIPKINTM
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE AVENGER
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
I had my car towed to Firestone on the 24th of December because it just died while driving in a parking lot(check engine light was on). They first told me they needed to do a diagnostic check and then they called me and told me I needed a new battery to complete the diagnostic check.(No indications battery was bad and it was jumped and fully charged before towing). They then proceeded to tell me the car needed gas to start it and that didnt work. So they said they need to run some more tests to figure out what the problem was. So then they tell me I need a new fuel pump. I get a call from them stating they ordered the wrong fuel pump so my car would not be fixed unitl the 26th due to the Holidays. They replaced the fuel pump and now as of the 13 the car died again in a strip center and wont start so I had it towed back to the shop. They ran another diagnostic test and said my distributor went out and it was going to cost me 504.00 for the part and 60/hr for labor. I went online to Advanced Auto parts and the part ranges from 200 and up. I am not sure what to do at this point because I can't afford to fix it and I really think they are scamming me. Wouldnt they had know the distributor was going out when they ran the test the first time? Especially since the check engine light was on.
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 AT 8:25 AM

38 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If the check engine light was on, they should have been able to check for trouble codes. But i sounds like the ASD relay might be bad but to be sure lets run down these guides. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 AT 8:35 AM
Tiny
HIGGY31
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE AVENGER
Electrical problem
1996 Dodge Avenger 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 150+ miles

just recently spent a ton of money getting a new distrubuter and a fuel pump and fuel filter and gasket's all over. New spark plugs and wires. A new timing belt and new altenator and relays and fuses all over. New battery and intake manifold gaskets. The will start but won't run. Some days we lose our spark all together. It acts like it is over heating but doesn't. The check engine light is not on and have had the car on the computer three times. Nothing is reading. We changed out the computer and nothing. There's something wrong with a wire somewhere that is shorting out somewhere. I just don't know where to begin. I hate to have to get a wire harness for the ext. But then maybe the interior too. I just need to know if there is any other option.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Fuel filter will never fix a starting problem on a Chrysler product. Alternator, fuses, and relays suggests you don't know how the system works or how to troubleshoot it. Throwing parts at it is not a cost-effective method of troubleshooting.

When it doesn't start, check for battery voltage on one of the small wires on the back of the alternator. There should be 12 volts for two seconds, then it won't be there until you crank the engine. If it's missing during cranking, forget about the lack of spark; you don't have fuel either. Suspect a defective camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensor.

Caradiodoc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PARIS7588
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE AVENGER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
I have a 1996 Dodge Avenger, 4 cyl motor. My problem is that the car will start, but after 20-30 minutes the engine dies. After it dies, sometimes it will re-start and run for another 10 minutes or so, other times it may have to sit for an hour or more before it will re-start. I can hear the fuel-pump turn on, could this problem still be in the fuel system or somewhere else?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Check the camshaft position sensor. After that two-second burst from the fuel pump you're hearing, it doesn't turn on again until the engine computer sees crankshaft rotation, (cranking or running). The computer knows there's engine rotation by the pulses from the cam sensor. It's somewhat of a common problem, especially when you mention it being temperature-related.

Caradiodoc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEKDSM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE AVENGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
Alright we have a 96 dodge avenger es that does not have power windows, locks or anti theft. Has been running fine, then one day we went out to start the car and nothing, I can hear the fuel pump, does not want to turn over, will not turn over from a jump start. We are getting 12 volts from the battery and we also check the starter which we replaced. We replaced the Ignition switch and cylinder still nothing. The car does start if you take a 12 gauge wire to the starter and runs fine.

We were told to change the Neutral Safety Switch or the Relay Starter (which is a pain to get to)

Do you have an suggestions and if you think we should replace the NSS how hard is it? Having problems with getting a Chiltons manual.

Thank you very much
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSSMAN78
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have been reading on this problem, and this is a huge problem for these cars. It has a ASD relay that controls power to the injectors and this could be faulty. Also I have read that your fuel filter could just be bad. Another was a cam shft sensor.
I hope this will give youa start
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICGIL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE AVENGER
Engine Performance problem
1996 Dodge Avenger 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

car was running fine, then I stopped to wash the car, after finished tried to start car again and the car would not start. Could it be the fuel pump and how can I check to see if that is the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi:
It could be the fuel pump, but since it happened after washing it makes me believe it's electrical. If the ignition wires and distributor cap haven't been changed for some time, you may want to consider doing it.

Also, if you want to check fuel pressire, here is a "How To" video. Many parts stores will lend or rent the tool to you. Or I believe you can purchase one from this web site. Then you will have it in the future too.

https://www.2carpros.com/dia/test_fuel_pressure.htm

Let me know if you have quesitons.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALIKAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • DODGE AVENGER
Hi there, I have a 1998 Doge Avenger Coupe V6 Automatic that has 195000 km on it.

My car trys to turn over but does not start, it is not getting fuel. My husband immediately thought that it was either the fuel filter or the fuel pump. After carefully checking both it was neither.
There is fuel pressure after the filter. Also the engine will start when the engine is primed.

Any thoughts??

Thank you so much in advance!


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/93031_Vancouver_and_shit_129_1.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Fuel pressure after the fuel filter-but is it the correct pressure, The EFI don't like an out of spec's pre4ssure.

Sounds like the computer is not pulsing/energizing the injectors

BTW some electronic controls when the computer don't see any signals from the ignition it will disable the injectors for emission purposes. Recommend you check for spark
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RORTA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE AVENGER
  • 2.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Hello everyone,
Here is my dilemma, my car was starting to stall on me would not stay idled unless I held down the gas pedal for about a minute and now it wont start at all!
So here is what I have figured out so far, there is no power to the fuel pump unless I bypass the fuel pump relay, I have bought a new fuel pump relay and still did not work. Even when I bypassed the fuel pump relay and got it pumping the car would still not start. I have also changed the fuel filter which did not help. The only light I see on the dash is the oil light but when I crank it over it disappears. Also, the car will start with starter fluid. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. My next guess would be the crank shaft sensor even though there is no check engine light on. I just bought the car for $800.00 and it is sad that it is just sitting there.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This may be an anti theft issue try locking your drivers door with key then unlocking it, then try to start that should reset security. If still no fuel pressure check pressure with a gauge. auto parts rent it. if more serious like still not starting then it should be scanned for codes, but not an auto part scanner. See link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RORTA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Awesome I will try that. One of the main issues is even when I turn the key I still cannot get power to the fuel pump without bypassing it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
That really sounds like an anti theft problem so try what I suggested. If you recently disconnected battery or a low battery may have set it off.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RORTA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay tried the anti lock that you told me it did not work. I was able to pull a code on it p1767.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There is no code 1767 if it is 87 it is a transmission pressure switch, but that would not stop from starting car. check all fuses under hood and fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it. then see if any coil is getting power. See link for fuel pressure.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RORTA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay I will try it but don't know if it will work since I am still not getting power to the fuel pump so it will not kick on. I can get power if I bypass the relay though.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
One thing I forgot is to check your ASD relay that may be the problem as it supplied fuel pump relay. It is on left side of firewall. Guess it is kind of crazy to check fuel pump when you have to jump relay to get pump to work lol. If you can check white/red wire in picture single arrow that comes from PCM double arrow comes from ASD relay. Although that may supplying power already. What you might do also is check the ground wire it may not be letting relay get ground then if no power from PCM check wire for continuity should have about five ohms or less be careful if you disconnect PCM as those are very small connectors. Finally it may be a bad PCM as well or a bad connection at PCM so you could try some dielectric grease at PCM connection.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AVTJF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE AVENGER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
I have a '96 dodge avenger, it worked really good. The other day I drove it and it made a sqeeking noise and it stalled. It turns over but it does not fire up and it does not sound like it even wants to. What could this be?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
Instructional repair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have identified the top problems that are easily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the repair garage or calling a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE