Check Engine Light Problem. Please help

I just picked up a 1994 dodge stealth. Nothing special. pretty much bone stock. Its the regular slow engine that comes in the stealth. Anyway when I put the key in the ignition and turn to acc the check engine light comes on like it should but if it doesnt shut off the car will crank and not start. I normally wait 2-3 minutes for the check engine light to shut off and then it starts up and runs normal with no problems at all. Any ideas of what I should look at? My shop is too busy for me to get the car in there and throw the scanner on it. I'm looking for some opinions for a fix without having to fight to get a bay in my shop. Please help. Thanks

the easiest thing to do is to try and get the code checked anyways, that will tell you definitely what the problem is. It could be numerous things, and you would have to perform different tests to try to isolate the problem. First, test for spark. Remove a spark plug, ground the tip to the chasis, and see if it sparks when trying to crank (i would recommend pulling the fuel pump fuse when cranking). Check 3 of the spark plugs, that is, one spark plug from each of the 3 coil packs. If you aren't getting spark, then you've got to test the coil pack, the PTU, the ECU, sensors that allow the ECU to let the PTU create spark such as the crank and cam angle sensors. If you receive spark, then check your fuel components. This is just a start on things. Like I said, it may just be easier to fight to get your car's engine code read.

Thanks for the info. I fix cars all day long and since my shop is so busy I never have a few minutes to bring the scanner over to the car and check. We are non stop from 7am to 6pm and then close up and even during closing its a pain to get something in. I guess I'll have to deal with the problem for the time being until I can pull the car in and check it out.