Taking forever to start

Tiny
JACKIE_ZX2
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE NEON
  • 49,200 MILES
I just had my fuel pump replaced in my 2001 Dodge Neon yesterday and when I was leaving work today my service engine light came on? My car seems to be running fine, but I'm just concerned!

I'm not sure what to think, we just bought this car a month ago from our mechanic and he replaced the fuel pump because it was taking forever to start every time we would start it up. Well that problem is fixed now the fuel pump is replaced, but no my engine light came on out of the blue not even a day later, but the car seems to be working fine!
Friday, November 4th, 2011 AT 3:23 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
You need to go back to the mechanic that worked on the car and have him scan the computer to identify what trouble code is in the computer. Chances are it will be an EVAP code caused by something he did when removing the fuel tank. Better yet, have the computer scanned at a parts store. Most will do it for free, and let me know what code they find. That way, he can't blame it on something he didn't do. Make sure to ask the parts store for the exact codes they found so I can look them up for you. Then you can go back to the mechanic knowing what the problem is and what most likely caused it.
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Friday, November 4th, 2011 AT 3:27 AM
Tiny
BILLYBOB
  • MECHANIC
  • 27 POSTS
DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY FOR ABOUT 1 MIN. LET THE COMPUTER CLEAR ITS BRAIN! HOOK IT BACK UP AND THE LITE WILL NOT COME ON I PROMISE YOU THAT WILL FIX IT FOR YOU IF ITS RUNNING FINE ITS JUST THE OLD SAYING THE IDIOT LITE IS ON. NOT THAT YOUR AN IDIOT ITS JUST SLANG MECHANICS USE. NO WORRIES PROMISE!
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Get serious, That light is there for a reason. It's not an idiot light and the codes need to be read to determine the cause.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
BILLYBOB
  • MECHANIC
  • 27 POSTS
Wrenchtech im probably just as good as you are worked on cars all my life! Own my own old timey full service station certified same as you if the car is running fine whats wrong with my advice to do a simple check without having to pay someone? Those lites come on all the time fuel cap might not be tite maybe the mechanic didnt clear the lite? And yes im for real sometimes they are called idiot lites! I have 1 customer that comes in yearly just to have the lite turned off because they dont want to replace the e.G.R. Valve replaced I turn it off so they can go pass there emissions test because the rodeo isnt worth the expense of a new one! If they turn it off it will come rite back on I have no problem helpin out a good customer! Thanks
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
LET'S PLAY LIKE BIG BOYS AND GIRLS. EVERYBODY CAN HAVE AN OPINION WITHOUT GETTING THE HACKLES UP ON THE OTHER. HERE GOES MINE!

MAYBE WE HAVEN'T SCARED OFF jackie_zx2 YET!

IN MOST CASES I'VE SEEN HERE, THE DESIRED ROUTE OF ADVANCE, IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED WITH THE NAME OF THE EXPERT THEY WISH TO AID THEM, WHEN THEY RESPOND FOR ADDITIONAL HELP.

I'VE 'STOLE' SOME--AND MOST EVERYBODY HERE HAS TAKEN OVER THE OBJECTIVE AND COMPLETED THE MISSION. THOUGH THEY DIDN'T ANSWER INITIALLY.I'VE ALSO SEEN THE MORE PROFESSIONAL (KNOWLEDGEABLE), ACTUALLY CARING AND HELPFUL EXPERT BE THE ONE WHO IS CHOSEN

I'M STICKIN' WITH J & N AS FAR AS IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THE CODE IS CLEARED, IT COULD BE ANY PROBLEM IN OVER A HUNDRED. IF YOU CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT, AND IT DOES NOT AFFECT DRIVABILITY---THAT'S ON YOU!(BEING TEXTBOOK PERFECT, IS NOT THE "REAL WORLD". SOME PEOPLE DO "CHEAT"). IF YOU ARE CHECKED FOR EMISSIONS, YOU ARE PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO GET IT FIGURED OUT, IN ORDER TO PASS!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.

Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free. Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 8:31 PM

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