1999 Chrysler LHS starting problems

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Scott W., Aug 13, 2008.

  1. Scott W.

    Scott W. Guest

    Hi,
    I have a 1999 LHS which will not start when warm. If cold, the car
    starts right up and drives smoothly, with no problems at all. However,
    after the car is driven for a while and turned off, a re-start is
    problematic. Usually it will just crank and crank, but sometimes it will
    spit and cough. After waiting until the car has cooled down, like
    overnight, it will start right up and drive smoothly, with no stalling
    or other problems. There are no trouble codes stored, nor does the CEL
    come on. The car has about 106K miles, and the plugs, timing belt, etc.,
    have been recently replaced, with no change. The gauges, dash lights,
    etc. all work correctly.
    Anyone have any ideas for me?
    Thanks,
    S
     
    Scott W., Aug 13, 2008
    #1
  2. Scott W.

    maxpower Guest

    If your looking to take shots at fixing it you can try a cam and crank
    sensor. Otherwise a scan tool will be needed to monitor these sensors as the
    problem is occurring.

    Glenn Beasley
    Chrysler Tech
     
    maxpower, Aug 13, 2008
    #2
  3. I thought that it was only the 1995 and earlier computers that did NOT set a
    code when the crank sensor failed intermittently?

    It certainly does sound like the textbook crank sensor, though.

    Ted
     
    Ted Mittelstaedt, Aug 14, 2008
    #3
  4. Scott W.

    maxpower Guest

    Whether it sets a code or not a scanner connected to the vehicle as the
    problem is occurring will see that the cam or crank signal went dead


    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Aug 15, 2008
    #4
  5. Scott W.

    2oldskool55 Guest

    Max & Ted sound like they are quite knowledgeable here but I have had
    cold start/warm start sensors that can affect cold or in your case
    warm start problems,but I am unsure if these are used on your
    application just a thought.
     
    2oldskool55, Aug 15, 2008
    #5
  6. Scott W.

    Bob Shuman Guest

    I've never seen a defective Coolant Temperature Sensor actually prevent
    starting, but have observed the case where an already warm engine is
    difficult to start (the spit and cough referenced?) because the defective
    CTS makes the ECU believe the engine is cool, so enriches the fuel mixture.
    When this happens, the engine temperature gauge usually does not read the
    correct temperature, the warm engine idles roughly, and the fuel mileage is
    noticeably decreased.

    Since it won't start at all, and there are no references to the other
    symptoms, I'd put my money on the cam or crank sensors.

    Bob

    Max & Ted sound like they are quite knowledgeable here but I have had
    cold start/warm start sensors that can affect cold or in your case
    warm start problems,but I am unsure if these are used on your
    application just a thought.
     
    Bob Shuman, Aug 15, 2008
    #6
  7. Scott W.

    maxpower Guest

    It could go both ways, the coolant sensor could also tell the PCM that the
    engine is hot when it is cold. This will cause problems. Either way a good
    scanner and someone that knows how to use it will see the problem


    Glenn Beasley
    Chrysler Tech
     
    maxpower, Aug 15, 2008
    #7
  8. Scott W.

    Bill Putney Guest

    That is in fact correct on this car since there is one temp. sensor that
    feeds into the PCM, from which signal the PCM both drives the gage and
    does the engine management.

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Aug 15, 2008
    #8
  9. Scott W.

    Steve Guest


    Will it fire right up if you crank it with the accelerator held to the
    floor (just like clearing a flooded condition on a carbureted car)? If
    so, you probably have a leaky fuel injector.

    If not, check the fuel pressure. The fuel pump could be in the early
    stages of failing and may not start running when its hot.
     
    Steve, Aug 15, 2008
    #9
  10. Since the engine instruments are all computer driven, would a bad temp
    sensor also show erroneous temperature readings on the engine
    temperature guage?
     
    Greg Houstong, Aug 16, 2008
    #10
  11. Scott W.

    Bill Putney Guest

    That was my point ("...there is one temp. sensor that feeds into the
    PCM, from which signal the PCM both drives the gage and does the engine
    management.").

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Aug 16, 2008
    #11
  12. fuel pressure would be what i would check after i checked for any freeze
    frame data a pending code may be there but not under continuous codes
     
    man of machines, Aug 17, 2008
    #12
  13. you apperantly haven't worked on too many gm cars
     
    man of machines, Aug 17, 2008
    #13
  14. we have seen a two fold increase in fuel pump failure since gas prices went up

    the fuel is not in the tank to help keep it cool
     
    man of machines, Aug 17, 2008
    #14
  15. Scott W.

    Bob Shuman Guest

    I didn't realize that GM made the 1999 Chrysler 3.5L LHS! Seriously, I have
    stayed away from GM products since having some bad experiences with a couple
    of used 1970's and a brand new 1980.

    Bob
     
    Bob Shuman, Aug 17, 2008
    #15
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