2000 Intrigue

My 2000 Intrigue cranks too long before it starts. It acts like it is not going to start but then after 4-6 seconds of cranking it starts. If I let it crank it for a second wait and then crank it agian it will usually start up after a second or two. The check engine light is not on. Does anyone have any insight into this issue?

Do you smell gas when this happens?

Next time it fails to start, pop the hood and remove the vacuum line from the fuel pressure regulator, any gas in it?

From there I would check fuel pressure. But it does require a special tool.

The ignition switch is also a cause of problems like this sometimes, if youve got some time to spare you can remove yours and clean it. Search "ignition switch removal" with myself as the author and youll find good instructions for removing it.

It could also be a spark issue, but they arent common in the 3.5

I don't smell any gas when this happens, which is every time I start my car.

Id have to lean toward a fuel pressure issue, or an ignition switch problem is still very likely.

You can check the pressure by finding the valve on the fuel rail that looks like a big tire valve. Youll need a fuel pressure checking tool. They run around 30 bucks at an auto parts store, mine was like 10-15 at Harbor Freight. Thats really the only way youre going to be able to find out if you have good pressure.

Personally, id go for the ignition switch first, because its free, and you also arent describing any additional symptoms after the car has started, which if you had significantly low fuel pressure, there should be some problems even then.