Hello, Im having a slight issue that I am hoping someone may have an idea of what to do about. My car is a Caliber SXT, lately I have noticed the car having issues starting on the first turn of the key. It doesnt happen very often, but has been increasingly happening.

I turn the key and it will turn but wont fully start, usually trying again gets it going, but just seems odd. the car has 105,000 km on it and runs well other than this issue.

I apologize if there is more info needed, this is my first dodge so I am quite clueless as to what this particular issue could be caused by.

Any help would be appreciated

 

Welcome to the forum.

What year is your car?

Is it cranking ok and not starting or is it not cranking at all.

 

Yep, it cranks but doesn't "catch", with my limited knowledge I'm thinking maybe spark plugs but this only happens once in a while, summer or now in the colder weather. and its a 2008

 

The plugs are supposed to be changed every 30K miles. Not sure how old yours are.

I would suspect possibly a fuel delivery issue. I would check the fuel pressure when it doesn't want to start. Kinda tricky when it only does it every so often.

 

The Plugs may be out of date, I bought this car used from a dealer about 13,000km ago, and with the issues I have had with other parts in the car, I wouldnt be surprised if the plugs need changing soon.

How would I check the fuel pressure, would this be something I could get one of those computer diagnostic machines to test?

I remember when I first had the car the "fuel cap" warning would come on often, maybe thats related? or just another issue all together (again sorry if this comes off amateur, but I am one)

Yesterday the car did again, kind of, if took 4 seconds and didnt want to catch until i stopped twisting the key and it started.

Thanks again for your help

 

The gas cap issue is probably unrelated. It means that the evap system can not pressurize the system properly which is usually caused by a loose or bad gas cap or a bad hose somewhere. Nothing to do with fuel delivery to the engine.
You would need a fuel pressure gauge that connects to the fuel lines schrader valve to check fuel pressure.
I am now wondering if it is the ignition switch itself from the way you described the symptoms from yesterday.

 

Just curious if you found wht it was?

My Caliber actually hydrolocked the engine and had to get it towed to the dealer, they told my wife that we had a fouled gas and also did a tsb on the ecu.

It's started to have hard starts every once in awhile again. I'm guessing they didn't change the plugs therefore there probably a little fouled.

I also came across this in the FSM for a '07
, should I wonder if they followed these steps?

HYDROSTATIC LOCKED ENGINE

When an engine is suspected to be hydrostatically locked, regardless of what caused the problem, the following

steps should be used.

CAUTION: DO NOT use starter motor to rotate the engine, severe damage may occur.

1. Inspect air cleaner, induction system and intake manifold to insure system is dry and clear of foreign material.

2. Remove negative battery cable.

3. Place a shop towel around the spark plugs when removing them from the engine. This will catch any fluid that

may possibly be in the cylinder under pressure.

4. With all spark plugs removed, rotate engine crankshaft using a breaker bar and socket.

5. Identify the fluid in the cylinder(s) (i.e., coolant, fuel, oil or other).

6. Make sure all fluid has been removed from the cylinders. Inspect engine for damage (i.e., connecting rods, pistons,

valves, etc.)

7. Repair engine or components as necessary to prevent this problem from re-occurring.

CAUTION: Squirt approximately one teaspoon of oil into the cylinders, rotate engine to lubricate the cylinder
walls to prevent damage on restart.
8. Install new spark plugs.

9. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter.

10. Install a new oil filter.

11. Fill engine with specified amount of approved oil.

12. Connect negative battery cable.

13. Start engine and check for any leaks.

 

Welcome aboard Shawn, thanks for the info.