Dodge Spirit

1995 Dodge Spirit Heating / Cooling System Chugging When starting When cold

I had a tuneup and mechanic says its not the timing or values. It is taking me 10-15 minutes to warm up the car. It's annoying.If I drive it before its warm, then it chuggs. I haven't used any coolant and I'm wondering if that could be the problem? I have tried using fuel injection cleaner, but that has not helped. What do you think will help to get it warmed up faster?

If you are not using any coolant, that is good.

Does the check engine light come on?

Did your mechanic put the car on a scanner to see if the temperature sensors were reading okay? If the cars computer thinks the engine is already at operating temp when it is cold, the computer will not enrich the fuel mixture as it should (a cold engine needs more fuel to run properly).

1995 Dodge Spirit Electrical / Lighting Systems   

I have a 1995 Dodge Spirit 4 cyl. 2.5 lt. Never worked with wiring before. The radiator fan does not come on. Tested it and it does work. Replaced the coolant temperature sensor, it worked at first then stopped again right away. The fan still comes on when I unplug the coolant temp. sensor. There is heat, but it should be hotter. Replaced thermostat. Upper hose gets got, lower hose warm. Radiator appears to need replacing. I've been unable to find any step-by-step information on how to properly trace faulty wiring, or how to use jumper wires, voltage testers or multimeters. I have another spirit for parts, is it worth swapping the necessary wiring altogether? I also can't get the coolant bleeder plug out at all, is there another way of properly bleeding the system? Regards, Mike

It may not be a wiring problem if the coolant is not circulating properly. If you have another radiator, swap it and go from there.

To bleed the coolant insert an aspirin to hold the thermostat slighly open. This will allow air to bleed out while you keep topping off the coolant (engine idling, radiator cap removed). A short while later the aspirin will dissolve and the thermostat will function normally. When filling, ensure strong circulation when the thermostat opens (preferably different radiator, this will let you know if the water pump is doing its job). Be careful, in the event of a blown head gasket, etc hot coolant could come out of the radiator (sometimes abruptly).

Copy and Paste the following link into your Address Bar- it contains instructions on testing your coolant sensor with a multimeter (ohm-meter). The link also contains instructions (to the left or in the drop down menu) to testing other sensors/components-

http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/[redacted] d/80/0d/58/9[redacted] d[redacted] .jsp

Remember, when testing a temperature sensor go by the actual temperature the sensor is at (not what it should be).

"To bleed the coolant insert an aspirin to hold the thermostat slighly open." Where exactly do I place the aspirin? Regards, Mike

When the cold the thermostat will be closed. You need to exert force against to overcome the spring pressure. Then insert the aspirin in the gap that is created so it cannot close completely.

1991 Dodge Spirit Fuel System   

Does fuel pump have realays or fuse ? If so where ?

It has a relay. Look on the fender wall.

What is the current problem?

Have you checked trouble codes and confirmed that you have spark to the spark plugs?

It starts if i dump gas in it !!

Okay, that certainly confirms spark.

Check for initial Key On and Engine Cranking voltage to the fuel pump. If you have voltage and no fuel pressure, the pump is likely bad.

Keep in mind, if you hear the pump running and have fuel pressure, you need to check for injector pulse with a noid like.

If you don't have voltage to the pump check the circuitry. If you need a wiring diagram and images--

http://autozone.com/newGuide,yes/shopping/repairGuide.htm

Copy and Paste the link into your Address Bar to gain access to a repair guide for you vehicle.

Havent did that yet,It was just funny she shut it off at gro-store,hadent had any problems and came out of store and it wouldent start ?? Thats why i was wandering about fuses and relays,,,Thank you so much !!

Were you able to access the repair guide I left a link for?

The fuel pump may have failed. It is electric, so when she shut the car off the pump obviously turns off. One it attempted to power up on the next restart, it may have failed.

It is always a good idea to check fuses when you have electrical failure.

Do you hear the fuel pump run? If not, and you are looking for a quick test that sometimes works, smack the bottom of the gas tank with a rubber mallet (or block of wood, NO SPARKS!). This will sometimes bring a dead pump back to life, albeit temporary (it will fail again, anyones guess when). This test will sometimes point to a bad fuel pump. If the pump comes back to life, the pump is likely bad. If it doesn't come back to life, the test was a waste of time :)