2000 Chrysler Town and Country fuel pump

OLIN

MEMBER
2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
187,000 MILES

On at least four occasions now a few weeks apart, only after the car sets overnight, it cranks but won't fire. The first time, I called a tow truck. The guy rapped on the gas tank and got the car started. After he shut it off, it would not start. After it was towed to the repair shop, it started perfectly all day long. So I picked the car up and it started fine for a couple weeks or so. Then one morning the same thing. We rapped on the tank with ignition turned on, and the car started again and was perfect for a few more weeks. One day the battery was weak. It was old and had corrosion. I installed a brand new battery and the car started perfectly for weeks. Then one day again the same thing happened after the car set overnight, it wouldn't fire even after rapping on the tank. The very same day several hours later, it started right up and has been working since. This was just a couple days ago. The repair shop man says that they can't diagnose what is going on as long as everything is working. Got any clues?

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Next time it refuses to start don't wait for nothing- do below to find out if its fuel or spark problem that's causing it not to start-something has to give.

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing.