Intermittent start problems and panel lights periodically come on
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1
Intermittent start problems and panel lights periodically come on
Greetings,
Running a 1997 Itrepid 325 valve bought used in 2004. Car has been problem free until recently with routine tune up, oil change etc.
Problem # 1 The carperiodically will not start. I can hear it 'crank' but the engine does not fire up. It takes about 3-5 attempts and then it starts. There does not seem to be a rhyme or reason for this, it can be a cold motor or it can happen after running for a while.
I have done the following:had the starter motor re-done;replaced the shut down relay;replaced the heat sensor valve. The last one [heat sensor valve] was a suggestion by a friend who unlike me is fairly knowledgeable. he asked me to disconnect the heat sensor and see if the car would start. It did, and we concluded that the valve was faulty and replaced it. All went well for a few days and then the problem occurred agan. Please help.
Problem #2- The panel lights like 'check engine'; oil and seat belt, will periodically flash on and off while driving. Again there is no set pattern or speed at which the vehicle is travelling.Please help.
I am not mechanically inclined and do not know what can casue these problems but would appreciate help.
Apologies also if I have posted separate issues in the same thread.
Running a 1997 Itrepid 325 valve bought used in 2004. Car has been problem free until recently with routine tune up, oil change etc.
Problem # 1 The carperiodically will not start. I can hear it 'crank' but the engine does not fire up. It takes about 3-5 attempts and then it starts. There does not seem to be a rhyme or reason for this, it can be a cold motor or it can happen after running for a while.
I have done the following:had the starter motor re-done;replaced the shut down relay;replaced the heat sensor valve. The last one [heat sensor valve] was a suggestion by a friend who unlike me is fairly knowledgeable. he asked me to disconnect the heat sensor and see if the car would start. It did, and we concluded that the valve was faulty and replaced it. All went well for a few days and then the problem occurred agan. Please help.
Problem #2- The panel lights like 'check engine'; oil and seat belt, will periodically flash on and off while driving. Again there is no set pattern or speed at which the vehicle is travelling.Please help.
I am not mechanically inclined and do not know what can casue these problems but would appreciate help.
Apologies also if I have posted separate issues in the same thread.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,649
From: Detroit suburb
RE: Intermittent start problems and panel lights periodically come on
Best place to start is to get a scan tool and scan for trouble codes. You can usually have the car scanned at Autozone. That should steer you in the right direction towards getting it fixed. Without scanning, you're just guessing.
If it's multiple things that crop up randomly, then it might be a bad ground somewhere. That's just a guess, too.
If it's multiple things that crop up randomly, then it might be a bad ground somewhere. That's just a guess, too.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 278
From: Northern California
RE: Intermittent start problems and panel lights periodically come on
You can never go wrong by cleaning electrical connections when you have an erratic problem. Check them all, paying particular attention to any connections or harnesses that make a light blink when you move them. (Another person to watch the dash etc is very helpful.) Disconnect them, inspect them, put new dielectric grease on them if they have it, and reconnect them.
The big plugs at the PDC and the PCM can cause all of your problems if they are faulty. And they are virtually free to check.
The codes are necessary if you have a bad part to find.
The big plugs at the PDC and the PCM can cause all of your problems if they are faulty. And they are virtually free to check.
The codes are necessary if you have a bad part to find.
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