2001 auto SE Its been happening more and more and seems to be getting worse... After my car sits over night, or at work etc (a decent amount of time) it starts with one crank. but If I go to the gas station, to the store, some where for a short time the car wont start. I turn the key and it whines after doing this multiple times 10 plus turns it eventually starts and runs fine. When I turn the key I can (at least i think I can) hear the fuel pump kick in. Do any of you have any suggestions or idea of what may be the issue....? ** I've read on here that driving with the air filter lid off was ok, is there any cons if I do this? Does it matter what filter I have on?*One more question. Where can I find replacement air filter cap bolts (besides dodge.) I actually have one that has a stripped head so if I can actually get it out I'd like to replace it.

 

anyone?

 

As far as the air filter goes, I'm not sure where you could find one. But I'm sure you could find a cold air intake to replace it. Best $30 you'll ever spend. But the starting issue? Maybe you hit a few bumps and jostled something just loose enough? Check all your connections: starter, altenator, battery, just to make sure nothing loose. Clean your battery cables. I don't know if you're doing this now, but if you having trouble starting it, press the gas pedal to the floor, and THEN start it. This puts it in "flood mode".

 

Go test your starter at any auto parts store our listen for the solenoid clicking when you turn the key. You can find those bolts and clips at any junk yard. Good luck and God speed the next start could very well be your last. Tapping the starter can knock it loose if its sticking.

 

When it comes to the cold air intake it doesnt look as easy to replace as lets say a honda or even an audi lol Today oh boy today.... - I went to my parents house for about 2 hours came back and it started after a few cranks which isnt usually the case WOO HOO GREAT - Not really, I stopped at a friends house 1-2 minutes down the road, for maybe 1 hour. The car decided NOT to start cranking and cranking. Messed with the battery relays fuses still nothing. -I let it sit for about 20 minutes more and it started the 1st crank. !!!!! ---Now my car will roll on a steep incline as its in gear when i let go off the gas. (i have put in in neutral when trying to start it a few times while pressing the break down) Could I have messed up the reverse neutral switch or some thing else! -- I am not mechanically inclined so its time to spend the money to pay someone to take the starter out so I can have it tested. It sucks having no idea what could be wrong! -- There are times where it sounds like its going to start and nope! ---- I know t depends on location usually but, is $400 fair to replace the timing belt? I am unsure if the previous owners have ever or if they have when the timing belt was changed. .... Thank you guys for responding

 

The way it sounds, this isn't a timing issue. You would know if it was, as the timing belt is a VERY expensive ($1000+) job to do. The cold air intake: make sure you're looking for a Dodge Neon CAI. There are specific setups that go right with the neon and are direct replacements. I would definitely get the starter tested.

 

...if the timing belt breaks and the pistons meet the valves. Otherwise, if you pay that much for the basic R&R, you got burned bad.

 

Yea, I bent 8 valves and broke the water pump. I don't know exactly how much it was, but I was out of a car for two weeks and it was about $1000. I wouldn't know how much a basic R&R would be, though. But if a timing belt was bad, the engine would be shaking and running rough. Or at least it was for me.

 

I bought all the parts online and had a shop perform the change of the belt and such. I spent around $400 total.

 

starter is simple to take out on these cars, maybe 40 minutes if you've never done it before. I am pretty comfortable digging through my engine compartment so I will pop of the rail and intake manifold so I have room. Then its off in a matter of minutes. Any brand name auto parts store has a starter tester and will run a diagnostic on it if you bring it in. then you have your core right there if it needs replacing which it sounds like you do.
As for the slipping down hills...sounds unrelated, you are probably just hyper aware right now, I get that way too when something goes wrong in my baby and suddenly it sounds and feels like everything is broken!. Btw I always park and start in neutral, there's nothing wrong with doing that in modern cars.
As for this timing belt discussion, I bent 4 valves losing a belt and ended up spending 212 getting the head resurfaced and re valved, 130 on a gasket set (outrageous for the neon but has all the seals from intake to exhaust which is nice), and 60 for the belts. took me a week, but I kept meticulous track of the parts and where they go, plus cleaned the block, intake, and valve head so I ended up with a practically new engine!
DIY. worth it.