1992 Dodge Shadow car ran okay then parked one night next d

Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 DODGE SHADOW
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Parked the car in driveway one night and went out next day to go and nothing just cranking thought it was the catalytic converter I disconnected the exhaust system from the manifold and that wasn't the problem it is getting plenty of spark and seems to me the timing is way out just doesn't seem right to just not start after sitting overnight. Cranks over real nice just runs a little bit if you get the gas pedal in the right spot but barely runs then. Car did sit for about a year and a half started it up and took it about 50 miles it passed emissions and then I parked it that night and it just wouldn't start the next day. I replaced the rotor and the cap. I didn't replace that pick up thing under the rotor because the guy at the parts place said that it hardly goes bad. Please offer me numerous suggestions at once because my other car engine froze and I don't have any car to get to work on monday and I really need to fix it by then. Thank you very much for as much consideration as possible. If you are aloud to call me please do so my number is (423)320-4571 and my name is johnny.
Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 1:37 PM

33 Replies

Tiny
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If it was me I'll check the fuel pressure to find out what's happenng with the fuel filter/In-tank strainer and fuel pump and also check for injection duration from the injector/s. Also test the coolant temperature sensor
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Tried a new temp sensor and seems to be getting plenty of fuel I put in ether and still won't start just keeps on cranking I tried turning the distributor and it seems like it tries to catch a little bit better what could cause this to be the problem
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
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Put the engine no.1 piston on its compression stroke and open up the dizzy cap and verify that the ignition rotor is pointing at the no.1 cap tower-
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
How can I be sure that the number one piston is on the compression stroke and not the exhaust stroke. I can put a screwdriver in and make sure it is at tdc but not sure if it is compression stroke or exhaust
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
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Feel the pressure as you crank in bursts stop and manually turn the crank till it read TDC/0 at timing scale, also you can open up the valve cover and check the valves on the no.1 is should be rocking meaning both valves are closed
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I took out all 4 spark plugs again and scrubbed them with ether and a toothbrush and then filed off the carbon with a nail file and sprayed them again with ether to clean off the file stuff and the carbon and put them back in and now if I hold the gas pedal 1/4th of the way down it starts but runs at a very low rpm and very rough but if I push the gas pedal down any further it stalls but starts right back up at 1/4th gas pedal. What do you think now.
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Sunday, February 1st, 2009 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Have you checked the fuel pressure? I need this information before we go into different areas.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 3:13 AM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
How do I check the fuel pressure I know that fuel is getting into the throttle body because I can see vapors coming out especially when it stalls. Let me ask you even if the fuel pressure was low wouldn't it still idle pretty decent I don't have a fuel pressure checker. What the symptoms be if the car had bad gas in the tank?
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
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Low fuel pressure and bad fuel will cause it to run rough/misfire
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I was asking how to check the fuel pressure do I have to have a special tool?
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 12:27 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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You need a fuel pressure gauge designed for your fuel injection system
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 2:24 AM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
With the #1 piston at tdc and the hole in the cam gear at the top they line up however there isn't any mark that lines up on the flywheel so what do you think that indicates. I couldn't get a fuel pressure guage. Thanks I appreciate you helping
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
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What engine 2.2L or 2.5L?
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
2.2
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 11:32 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_camcrank_timing_marks_2.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_camcrank_timing2_1.jpg

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 4:20 AM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Okay everything lines up and since I cleaned the plugs it runs at a very low rpm with the gas pedal down 1/4th of the way but if I push it any further it stalls I am going to get a fuel filter now do you think I should get anything else to try b4 removing the fuel pump what about the fuel injector or the cam sensor or the crankshaft sensor or something like that
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
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Test the throttle position and manifold absolute pressure sensors-BTW are you positively sure your in the no. 1 compression stroke, and not in the exhaust stroke before you line-up the sprockets.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Okay put in a bottle of heet water remover and anit freeze, replaced all the spark plugs and put in 2 and 1/2 gallons of gas and it is running better than it has been and going to a higher rpm however it is backfiring and sputtering and stalling I don't know what the throttle position sensor is or where it is or that pressure thing you just said can you please clarify
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
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Do you have a repair manual?
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYLAMB0967
  • MEMBER
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No I do not have a repair manual
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 3:30 PM

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