Hello all my name is: Beau
I have a: 1991 Dodge Stealth RT 185K miles
I believe I have an airflow problem. Sometimes it takes 1 minute to 30 minutes for my car to turnover. However, once it’s warmed up it starts every time. I found out if I take my air filter off it starts right away but now when I do that it seems to make no difference.
I have a new MAF, new TPS, new spark plugs, new ECU, new TCU, new fuel injection idle control valve, new battery, new starter, new alternator.
I’m trying to narrow it down to what it might be. There might be a clogged pipe/tube, maybe pcv valve, maybe new spark plug wires could fix it. Could be the fuel pump is not pumping enough fuel but it runs fine when warmed up. Maybe needs new fuel injectors. Maybe a compression issue. Throttle body is clean. I’ve tried adjusting the Idle screw. Doesn’t seem to help. There’s so many things it could be.
It seems that you have spent an enormous amount of time and money on this problem but 95% of what you have replaced could have been easily tested and confirmed as working without spending a penny.
I would start with looking at error codes and then see if there is a spark. Then see if there is high pressure fuel spray from the injectors or pressure in the fuel rail. All of these things can be checked for free. Temperature related starting problems can often be tricky to solve on these cars because the ecu makes adjustments based on the readings given by the numerous sensors.
Once you have eliminated the basics, you can then test each of the related sensors.
Alternatively, you could go to a mechanic with experience on these cars who may identify the issue in a few minutes.
It seems that you have spent an enormous amount of time assuming I put all these new parts in to fix this problem but 95% of them were put in before I had this problem. The one thing I replaced after this problem was the NGK spark plugs with a torque wrench hoping it would fix the problem. I can do the OBD1 error code check again but I would like specifics on how you can measure a spark through reading error codes. You mentioned numerous sensors. That’s one of the main things I’m trying to narrow down. And you are right, I could take my car to mechanic to help with my problem. So could everyone else in the troubleshooting forum but that would defeat the purpose of having a troubleshooting forum in the first place.