99 Intrigue 3.5l, Hard Starting

[msg44]

Folks,

My car is having hard start problems. No engine lights on. I replaced the Cam and Crank sensors several months ago. This fixed the problems back then. There might be a fuel pump problem, I think it randomly makes a noise when I first turn on the ignitionl; however, it runs fine once started. It has 120,000. Plugs are relatively new. Perhaps the Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR)?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
msg44

[dtownfb]

With no "service engine soon" light on, I would guess it's either the ignition switch or FPR. If I remember right, you replaced your ignition switch earlier.

Do a search on this forum for "fuel pressure regulator". There are many, many posts with people dealing with this issue. It's a relatively easy part to replace.

[Jegman]

I have a '00 3.5L that was having the same problem. After replacing the FPR, I found out it was the fuel pump. Even though a pressure test said otherwise, it was a "false" reading. A second and third pressure test showed low fuel pressure.

Good luck!

[msg44]

Well, to close this post out I just wanted to inform people that it WAS the Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR).

If you want to determine whether or not it is bad, pull off the small (4inch) vaccuum line and check if there is gas inside of it. If so (as mentioned on many posts), the FPR is bad.

Just a word of advice that I don't recall reading. Make sure you take your car for a little ride or warm-up first. I checked it 2 times and it showed very little gas in the line; however, after I took it to autozone I pulled it to show someone what I thought it was and gas poured.

So, thanks for the help.

[stretch80]

Originally Posted by msg44

Folks,

My car is having hard start problems. No engine lights on. I replaced the Cam and Crank sensors several months ago. This fixed the problems back then. There might be a fuel pump problem, I think it randomly makes a noise when I first turn on the ignitionl; however, it runs fine once started. It has 120,000. Plugs are relatively new. Perhaps the Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR)?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
msg44

Clean the throttle body and plate

[jefferyfreeman2003]

not sure this needs to be said...just to err on the side of caution..be very careful when spewing gasoline on top of a hot engine..