Fuel pressure

Tiny
JIG MASTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
Long crank time! Did fuel pressure test! With key on holds at 55 psi. Van running holds at 55 psi without any needle movement. Did leak down test on pump and injectors. The injectors holding with no needle movement. Pump side drops to 45 psi after fifteen minutes. There is no pressure regulator on this van. With my understanding it is built into the pump. This test is telling me that the check valve in the pump is getting weak. The question is, can I install an inline check valve to hold the pressure at the injectors?
Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 8:20 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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Hello,

It sounds like the fuel pressure is okay. If you hold your foot on the throttle just a little bit does the hard starting go away?

It sounds like you need to service the throttle bore. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

I dirty bore will make the car start hard.

Here is a guide that can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Please run down these guides and diagrams and report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, March 2nd, 2018 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
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Ken thanks for the information! I plan on doing a complete upper intake air plenum cleaning in about a week while I am doing the valve cover gaskets. What cleaner should I use on a plastic intake?
To answer your question, I have to push the pedal about halfway before it will start, specially after a long night soak. What I can see from the throttle body it is pretty dirty inside the air chamber. One more thing! I am pulling a p0303 code. I have changed the plugs to factory plugs with new wires along with new coil pack. I know Chrysler uses the number three injector as a control. Would this long crank be causing this code?Thanks
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Friday, March 9th, 2018 AT 2:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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This code can be triggered by the dirty air intake, you can use carburetor cleaner like in the guide works great wont hurt the plastic.
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Friday, March 9th, 2018 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Ken! I will keep you posted.
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Friday, March 9th, 2018 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
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Ken, I did a complete upper air intake and throttle body cleaning this weekend along with valve cover gaskets. I found the miss fire on three. The plug had two cracks in the porcelain which is very odd since I changed them about 6,000 miles ago. On the other hand the long crank time is still present. Any other suggestions that could be causing this?
TPS sensor? No code showing bad. I guess I will have to do an OHM reading on it. Let me know if you or anyone else has any ideas. Thanks
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 6:33 AM
Tiny
JIG MASTER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
I cannot seem how to reply to my questions. So I will do it this way. Ken, I did a complete upper intake clean with throttle body cleaning. Long crank time still present. Any other ideas? Bad TPS? No code showing! Misfire on three due to bad plug. Crack porcelain on plug, which is odd due to replaced 6,000 miles ago. Thanks
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

Did you monitor the fuel pressure when you have the issue? A fuel pump bleeding off will cause this issue.

Roy
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Yes, dropped 20 psi in fifteen minutes.
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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No, what was the pressure when before you tried to start it and during cranking?
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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55psi.
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, with key on before the extended crank?

Roy
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Yes!
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, good.

If you have a scan tool, during the extended crank, do you have an rpm signal?

Roy
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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I do not have a scan tool. I guess it is off to the shop!
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, you need to monitor these systems to find the fault.

Roy
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Probably so. And the p0303 is back after replacing the crack plug. Leaning on a bad PCM.
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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No, last place I would go for one misfire. If it was the PCM, you would have multiple codes.

Do the basics. Plug, coil, injector and wiring, vacuum leaks and compression. You will find the issue in one of these areas.

Roy
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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I already have replaced the plugs and wires along with coil pack about 6,000 miles ago. I can hear the injectors pulsating through a stethoscope. I could not see any physical damage to wires when I had intake off. I just think it is time for Scanner Danner if he lived in Indiana. Oh well time to go to the shop. I am done messing with it. Thanks for all your guys help!
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Roy
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)

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