Just yesterday, I acquired an old 1995 Chrysler LHS for next to nothing ($500). Just needed brakes and new tie rods and an alignment. Also need to replace the trans pan gasket, it leaks about a quart a month.

It has an aftermarket remote start/security system in it. Yesterday and early this morning it starts up perfectly (it was cold this morning). 8 hours later, I go to leave work and I pressed the remote start button and got to the car and I hear the blower motor running but no motor.

I turn the key to start the car myself, it cranks and cranks and cranks. Tries to catch but no go. I hit the gas to open the throttle thinking maybe the car has an IAC (I know nothing about the specific motor design of an LHS yet) and it catches a little harder this time but doesn't start. I let it sit for a bit and try again and this time it starts after a few tries, runs slightly rough for a bit (about 30 seconds), then smooths out. I was able to drive it home without ANY issue. It also will start up perfectly fine just after shutting it off.

If it has an IAC, could this be? O2s? Plugs?

 

check fuel pressure

 

A buddy of mine mentioned it could be sticky injector(s). Would that fit the bill? It would seem to make sense to me that since as they warm up, they behave more normally.

My next steps:
-change fuel filter
-check pressure
-check injectors (what's the best way? just listen for clicking through a screwdriver or something?)

 

I just went out and started it cold this morning; starts perfectly. Could the remote start be doing something different? I don't see how.

Would low ATF cause this maybe?

 

atf is trans fluid no it does not affect how the cars starts only make the car move with the tranny. A single injector will also not make it not start only run bad. Think about it for a second U have 6 injectors right ??why would one not working right make the others not work at all?? And like i said b4 check the fuel pressure b4 u go changing parts unless u have money to spend that u dont want go ahead.

 

I know it's probably not one injector, hence why I pluralized it. ;-) I am not new to cars, just new to Chrysler cars. I am repairing the trans pan gasket on Thursday and will also be replacing the fuel filter and checking the pressure then.

I would assume that, just like with my Crown Vic, if fuel pressure is the issue, opening the throttle of course affects the TPS which will supply more fuel, which is why I can get it to start roughly by pressing the accel. Assuming there is a fuel pressure regulator, I may want to check that as well, no?

Fuel filter is cheap, so like I said, I'm going to do that anyway. If pressure is still low after that, I will replace the regulator. If still low, will replace the pump. If I still have starting issues, I will check the injectors. Sound like a good plan?

I noticed a small coolant leak also. I haven't investigated too much yet but it appears it is coming from a freeze plug on the plug a little behind the water pump. Will this require engine removal to replace the plug or can it be done from below? When I looked underneath the car it appears there is very easy access to this area, but appearances can always be deceiving.

I should've mentioned in my first post that there is no CEL either, unless the bulb is burned out. :-P Thanks for your replies, too.

 

on chryslers if u open the tps more then ooo 4% it will shut off the injectors so if u feather the gas do it just a little. IF it does fire up then u know its not fuel issue u would have an air flow issue aka throtle bod clogged or IAC motor stuck from all the carbon build up.
The pump and regulator is ONE there is a second regulator at the rail on the passanger side that is done via manafold vac. Do u have a 3.5 or 3.2 engine?? u cant see the water pump if u have a 3.5 just asking and what is cel???

 

CEL = Check Engine Light (I'm sorry, it's a Fordism, as the light in a Ford car that shows if a DTC [diagnostic trouble code] is stored in the PCM says "Check Engine" on it)

I do have the 3.5. I thought I could see the water pump on the top left of the motor if facing the front, there is a pully there, and I can see a green scummy buildup around this device's joint to the motor. Whatever pulley this is, there is caked-on green crap around it but the leak isn't coming from it, at least not in plain view. Where exactly is the water pump located on a 3.5? If you have a picture, that would be excellent. Is the water pump fairly easy to replace on my own? I think I'm going to pick up a Hayne's for this car!!

BTW, it started perfectly fine three out of three times today (morning, afternoon and evening). Very strange. I would think if it was fuel pressure it would've stayed the same or gotten worse. Maybe something in the fuel filter clogged it for a bit but dislodged itself? Filter definitely is getting changed, and I will still be checking the rest as I planned earlier.

I really appreciate all your help!

 

tje water pump on a 3.5 is behind that metal plate where all the pullys and belts are. Its is turned by the Timing belt. If u want to mess with that go ahead if u have experence but not for the first timer. Replace the belt and tensioner while u are in there.

 

I think I found out why this whole issue was happening... I only truly noticed it happen after I tried to do remote-starts before. The remote starter only cranks the engine very briefly (one second), and the couple of times it did this, the motor didn't catch, however the fuel system was still dumping fuel into the CC I believe.

I went to start it up again and it was cranking over and over, finally caught, ran rough and black smoke came out the exhaust and smelled of raw fuel. Motor was "flooded". After about 10 seconds, everything was fine and it ran like a champ. Needless to say, I'm going to start it "manually" for the next week and if I have no issues, then I know exactly what the problem is and I'll have the remote start programmed to instead do a 2-second crank on the starter.

As for the water pump/coolant leak, thanks for the picture. The previous owner says the WP was already replaced, but now I wonder... I am going to pull the cover and see where it's all coming from though, it's either going to be the core plug or the WP. According to a few sources, some minor coolant spillage out of the weep hole is normal in the 3.5, under certain conditions, is this true? I wonder if a) it was overfilled when the water pump was replaced or b) I ran it too hard when I was trying to start it the other day and some spilled out.