Starting Problem - not consistent

[Don Dewberry]

I hope someone can help me out. I have a 97 rodeo 4 cyl with 165,000 miles on it. It's been basically trouble free until rencently. I drove the car to work, and when I got ready to go to lunch it wouldn't start. The engine would turn over fine. I was thinking timing belt. I had it towed to the shop. They replaced the rotor, cap and new plug wires. I picked it up and it drove just fine until I got ready to leave work the next day. Same thing, the engine would turn, but wouldn't start. I had it towed back to the shop. They tested and couldn't find any thing wrong. It started just fine for them. I went to pick it up Friday night and it wouldn't start. So I went back Saturday and it started just fine. I drove it to the Dealer, and they kept it a week and couldn't find any problem. So I picked it up on Friday and on the way home it stalled and died on me.I tried to start it, but same problem. I walked to the phone and called for a ride, Walked back to the truck and then it started right up and I drove it home. I've got this great truck, but now I'm afraid to drive it any where. Any idea?

[anthonyn]

Sounds like a fuel problem. Had a trooper once that would intermittently stall out due to a bad fuel filter. I would replace the fuel filter and run some techron in the gas to clean out the injectors. Once you've eliminated the fuel possibilities, then look into a loose ground wire.

[rodeo02]

Like Anthony says, definately troubleshoot the fuel pump & it's electrical system. I'd start by swapping the fuel pump relay with a compatible accessory relay (like the a/c relay). This may be a bad fuel pump. Are you not getting any check engine light?
G/luck
Joel

[Don Dewberry]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

Like Anthony says, definately troubleshoot the fuel pump & it's electrical system. I'd start by swapping the fuel pump relay with a compatible accessory relay (like the a/c relay). This may be a bad fuel pump. Are you not getting any check engine light?
G/luck
Joel

About 2 months before this started happening, my check engine light was coming on and going off. I took it to the shop, and they told me it was some sensor or something, I can't remember now what they called it, but they said it didn't hurt anything and not to worry about it. I checked with the dealer and the part was 75.00 so I didn't buy it. When I'm driving it and it sputters and dies, the check engine light does come on. But usually that doesn't happen. Normally, I just go out to get in it and it won't start. It sat in the driveway all weekend and wouldn't start, then I go out this morning and it started just fine. I was suspecting the fuel pump myself. Thanks for all the info.

[Don Dewberry]

Problem solved. I finally took my truck to a shop here in OKC called Cherokee Hills Automotive. They tried several things before finally determined it was the Crank Shaft Position Sensor had gone out. They replaced the part and the truck is back to normal. I've been driving it for two weeks now with no trouble at all.
I hope this message helps the next person that runs across this issue.