1998 Dodge Intrepid wont start.

MANNYCOMECU

MEMBER
1998 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
102,323 MILES

I have a 98 dodge intrepid that was sittin in our body shop. It turned on when we parked it there a year ago.I changed the fuel pump and nothing. Then upon further review we noticed that rats made themselves at home on top of the intake manifold. Well lots of rat dropings and old chicken bones, but none the less it wont start. I think they might have bitten a wire. I mean it trys to turn on and cranks very good but wont start. Any info u can share would be great. Thanks.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Maybe the rats ate some of the spaghetti wire that goes to the engine management system-lets do below and see what happens

Do you have a check engine light On prior to this problem?

If the engine's condition is in tip top shape-do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem that's if its cranking over and refuses to start

Get a carb cleaner and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the 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, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors-

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time