Car Won't Start

[SYNFULL]

Car Won\'t Start

I went out to dinner last night and took the Viper. The car ran perfectly to the restaurant and then we went back to a friends house. After about 2 hours we went to leave and I couldn't start the car. It would kick over and run rough for a couple of seconds and then die. I kept trying this untul the battery went and I had to get a ride home.
I know the car doesn't like cold (it was about 45) as I have had trouble starting it on 2 other occasions when it was a little cool outside and the car sat. But on those occasions it just turned over and wouldn't start at first- then it would fire up.
I am going over there to try to get it started. Any ideas what I should check? I am hoping that it will fire up since it is warmer out- but don't know if that is the problem.
I don't think the fuel pump could have just stopped working. I should mention the tank is full.
Thanks
Gary

 

[LETHAL GTS]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

You need to reset your alarm. When it turns over and runs for a sec or two.....it's most likely the alarm system shutting down the fuel system. Next time hold the two buttons on your key fob while standing beside the car. This resets the key fob. Also do the '99's have the alarm shutoff in the center council? If so make sure you turn it off as well.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Thank you that's a great idea.
Gary

 

[GTSnake]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

also make sure you have a fully charged battery. When my battery is low the car runs really rough and barely idles.

 

[Cris]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Yep, sounds like a low battery and the cold temps could accentuate that.

 

[94RT10Ohio]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Yes, the battery is going to be the core cause, which set off the fuel cutoff. 99, 6 yeras old, battery must go.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I did get the car started this morning. It did the same thing when I got there as last night. Would start for a second then die. I then hooked jumper cables up to it and I tried resetting the alarm by pushing both buttons- I heard it chirp. It still did the same thing. I then played with the key switch in the glove box. I don't know if I did anything beacuse I turned the key both ways. I tried again it it just cranked and cranked. The next time I tried it started right up. The battery was replaced in July and I had drived the car for at least an hour that night so it should have been charged, although it sat outside for a good couple of hours before I went to leave.
I was so glad I didn't have to get it towed, but I have no idea what caused it. The battery does sound like it's struggling when the car is cranking. Maybe they put the wrong battery in.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks
Gary

 

[Steve-Indy]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Test the battery.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Glad you got it started. Anything new to report since? Is it starting fine now or are you still running into the same issues?

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I have put the battery on a trickle charger for a couple of days, and when I went to start it today the same thing happened. The car cranked over fast and started for a second then it died. It did the same thing 3 times. After the third time I removed the key from the ignition then put it back in and it started right up. I don't know if this had anything to do with it starting or not. I don't think it's the battery bacuase I have been charging it. What else could it be? Maybe the fuel pump is going? Is there a way to check it? I already got stuck somewhere and don't want to have to tow the car in so I really can't drive it far until I figure this out.

Thanks
Gary

 

[carguy07]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Make sure that all of the battery connections are clean and tight. Check at the battery, the ground and the remote positive terminal. If any of these are loose, you can have the car start and then immediately set the alarm and shut the car down.

 

[GTSnake]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

After it's running is it running smooth or very rough and rich?

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

After it started it seemed to run fine. I will check all the connections and see if any are loose.
Thanks
Gary

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

If the fuel pump check valve lets the fuel line drain back into the tank, it'll be hard to start. This is a little smelly, but

1) push on relief valve on intake and see if fuel squirts out.
2) if yes, good. If no, turn key to run (not start) for 3 sec, then off.
3) push on relief valve. If no more fuel, you have a little problem. The pump should have primed the line with 45 psi fuel. If it is working normally, the second try should have fuel squirt all over.

Disclaimer: Do not try inside, without towels over engine or safety glasses on.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Thanks, I will check that out. That is the bass "schrader valve" I think that is what they are called?

Gary

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I think I figured it out. The car wouldn't start again today. I just cranked and cranked. As soon as I put a jump on it, it fired right up. I am now thinking that it is the "capacitor" energy cell that I have hooked up for my stereo. It has a digital readout of how many volts it is holding, and supplies voltage to the amp. It is supposed to stop the amp from drawing too much power from the battery, but I think that may be the problem. Does anyone else have one of these?
Thanks
Gary

 

[Vipera]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I have the same type capacitor with the digital readout. Never had a problem starting, and I have 2 amps running around 1000 watts each...

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

So I guess they aren't the problem. I think I will try a new battery- Autozone has a Gold-Duralast for 74.9
800 CCA
1000 Crancking Amps
3 year free replacement.
I was thinking about the Optima but I think this might be a stronger battery and the Optima doesn't always fit.

Gary

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I have replaced my battery and I am still having trouble starting my car. Yesterday I put the new battery in and tried to start. It cranked a couple of time without starting and then kicked over. When I tried today it wouldn't start. I checked the schrader valve at the intake and nothing came out- which is weird because there shoud be pressure all the time. When I turn the key to on I hear a click from the rear and that is all. Then one time I turned the key and heard a whirring noise and the car began to start but wouldn't.
I also tried playing with the alarm key switch in the glove box, but don't know how that works. I just put the key and and turned it back and forth. Then I reset the remote by pressing both buttons until it chirped.
I checked he fuel pump 25 amop fuse in the rear and that is good. I also checked the "auto shutdown relay" in the engine fuse comp. and that appears to be good.
Any tips or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary

 

[Venom 1000TT]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

This might sound strange but I couldn't get my car to fire up for nearly a week after bringing it back from the paint shop. I tried nearly everything. Finally I replaced all the spark plugs & it instantly fired up & has been good since. I see you have a Vec on there, maybe plugs got fouled out. Try pulling a few to see. Good luck!

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Venom,
Thanks, I will check the plugs. I think it is a fuel problem though - I should be getting fuel out of the pressure valve.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Hey, Is there any way this could be the fuel filter? I don't think it has ever been changed. I have a new one but couldn't get the old one off.
Gary

 

[opnwide]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I just had a car no start problem, but it was the engine ground strap working itself loose.

 

[Rollin4]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

SYNFULL I've got the exact same problem with my 94. DRB will not give any codes, and cannot locate the PCM. I have replaced the cam & Crank sensors, replaced the PCM with rebuilt one, and have just sent my ICM to Chuck Tator to try on his car to see if that could be the problem. I've gone thru all the "no start" procedures in the engine dianostic manual with no luck. Checked the alarm system (alarm & entry modules)it appears to be working fine. Repalced battery. This can drive you crazy...good luck if you find anything let me know I will do the same.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

It appears to be somehow -with my car anyhow- related to the cold. Never had a problem till the car was outside for awhile on the first cold night. That's when I had the first no start problem when the car would star for a second then die. I finally got it started with a jump. Now with a new battery the car cranks fine. Just seems like it's not getting fuel. Maybe my gas gauge is wrong
Gary

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I think I have narrowed down the problem to the alarm system. I have tried all manner of resetting the system and nothing works. There is definately something wrong with the alarm. I turn the alarm on with the remote, hear the horn beep, and then open my hood or my rear hatch, and nothing happens. This is before and after I reprogrammed both remotes by shorting out terminal 1 of the DLC. The led flashed and I reprogrammed both remotes normally. I also tried this sequence-
Here is the reset sequence. Should be done with both doors closed:

Step 1: Turn the ignition key from the OFF to ACC position 4 times as follows. OFF-ACC-OFF-ACC-OFF-ACC-OFF-ACC-OFF.

Step 2: Open & close the following in any order so that you hear a single beep. Hood, driver door, passenger door, hatch back.

Step 3: Press both buttons on the key fob until the car beeps.

That's it. The system is reset.

This procedure is useful in many situations, after removing a battery, charging a dead battery, etc.

The only thing I can think of is the EEM module. Maybe this went bad. Could this be the problem why the car won't start. I definately don't hear the fuel pump when I turn the key.
Thanks for any help!
Gary

 

[Steve-Indy]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Could be...does sound as though the ASD mode has been activtated, at least intermittantly (though, as you know, this can be due to other problems as well...such as cam sensor, crank sensor, or the recently described case of the header-fried-wires of the oxygen sensor). I know of at least one 1999 Viper that had an EEM that failed. There is another step to try first...before you go for the EEM...admittedly a bit of a long shot.

Check your e-mail.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

Steve,
I never got your email. Could you please send it again.
thanks
Gary

 

[Mark Red GTS Cooper]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

I had a bad o2 sensor, it shorted out and kept blowing a fuse.

Mark

 

[BruceW]

Re: Car Won\'t Start

The EEM controls the fuel pump relay. Short out the relay and listen for the pump to go on. If so, it probably is the EEM (or bad wiring). Otherwise it's the pump. I had a similar situation and it turned out to be a bad pump, it would intermittently shut off, drove me nuts trying to track it down.