Ignition problem (Car won't bloody start without Force :P)

[Trunks]

Hey guys, I drive a '94, Plymouth sundance. Its just over 200,000 kms and since I bought it occasionally it would not start. For example I'd turn the key and it would try to turn over and do nothing. The person who had it before me said it did it to her so just give it gas and it would start. For a while it was fine and would start without any problem at all.

Long story short what would cause an engine not to turn on every now and then without giving it gas.

[FunkZ]

Does it actually crank the motor or just click or do nothing?
If it does crank the motor, does it sound like it wants to start, but just doesn't catch unless you give it gas?

[silenze]

I'm not a mechanic, but I know this; that car isn't carbureted it has throttle body injection so you shouldn't ever have to give it gas to start it.. may be a different problem.. should call up the local Plymouth dealer and see if there's a commonly known issue with that car..

[XPTB]

The one thing my mechanic friend told me that helps narrow stuff down is that you only need 3 things to crank a car: Spark, fuel, and air. That always helps to narrow down the problem. Your's probably isn't spark since its trying to crank. If you have to give it gas to help it crank, try running some injector cleaner through it as a cheap fix.

I don't know if you have this stuff where your from, but its called SeaFoam. It's man's gift to motors. It will clean every part of your engine and blow the crap out of your tailpipe in the form of thick, white smoke. I highly recommend this, as it has helped me in many many cases.

[Trunks]

Well It will clunk and not start the first time, then If I try again it will just keep clicking and try to start but obviously I don't keep that up as to not kill the starter. I also thought the same as silenze as a fuel injected car there should be no need to give it gas, but hell it works? My dad suggested I try fuel injector cleaner XPTB as well do I will try that.

[FunkZ]

With 200k miles, how long since a "tune-up"?

Change the spark plugs and wires. Change the distributor cap and rotor. (or test the coil packs if DIS)

Replace the pcv valve, air filter, fuel filter, oil filter and automatic trans filter and fluid (if you haven't changed that in a while)

Run a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the tank, spray the throttle body and inside the intake with throttle body cleaner.

[Trunks]

It had a tune up right before I bought I, only a couple of months ago.

[FunkZ]

That's why I say "tune-up" with the quotes. Some people's idea of a tune-up is not the same as mine.

[Trunks]

Understood, I bought some fuel injector cleaner. and am hoping to resolve the issue.

[Trunks]

Update: I started getting gas at a different place..seems to be the best improvement yet.

[XPTB]

hehe, watered down gas sucks nuts

[silenze]

Ignition problem (Car won't bloody start without Force :P)

Heheh..

hehe, watered down gas sucks nuts

Hm, yes. Diluted in said gasoline, the force may be.

(Yes, I am bored.)