1996 Chrysler LHS fuel problem

AILESE

MEMBER
1996 CHRYSLER LHS
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

For a while the car would just die while driving. But would start right back up. Then sometimes I would have to wait awhile and then it would start again. But the other day it stopped while driving and will not start. It trys to turn over but seems like its not getting gas. I checked the fuse for fuel pump its good. Then I did a pressure test and it was about 40/45. I can hear pump turn on. But I don't know what the pressure should be. I know I need to check filter and plan to just change it. But wonder what else might be wrong. I am a grandma who has little experience. Please help if you can.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Forget the fuel filter. On Chrysler products they typically last the life of the vehicle. The pressure isn't critical either like it is on some other vehicles. You will hear the fuel pump run for one second after turning on the ignition switch. That's where the pressure you have now is coming from.

The first thing to do is to check for spark. My bet is it's missing. That means the fuel pump will not turn on again during engine cranking. Those two circuits are tied together so you can't get hung up on the first thing you find missing. For no-spark, especially when it started out as a heat-related intermittent problem, suspect the crankshaft position sensor or the camshaft position sensor. Most of the time there will be a diagnostic fault code related to the failing sensor. I'm racing a dying laptop battery, so rather than retype everything, go to this page to see how to read the codes. Chrysler makes reading them yourself much easier than any other manufacturer. The only difference is instead of counting the flashes of the Check Engine light, on your car the code numbers will show up in the odometer display.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/retrieve-trouble-codes-for-chrysler-dodge-plymouth-odb1-1995-and-earlier-car-mini-van-and-light-trucks

Once you get the code numbers, go to this page to see what they mean:

https://www.2carpros.com/trouble_codes/obd2/P0100