92 plymouth laser cold start problem!
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Joined: Oct 2007
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92 plymouth laser cold start problem!
Hi,
I recently purchased a 1992 plymouth laser as a project car. The problem I am having with it is that it is extremely hard to start when cold. I crank and crank and it tries to start then crank and crank again and it starts and barely idles... whole motor shakes then if I try to apply any acceleration it dies immediately. So then I crank it again until it starts and I just let it run on its own for about 5 mins and then it runs great with no issues. So I am stumped why it won't hardly run when cold. It runs like a champ warmed up. The check engine light is on as well but I don't have the money to get the code checked. Also I noticed that someone bypassed the cooling fan switch and wired it direct. So now everythime you turn the key on the stupid fan runs. I am going to try to get a new fan switch for it in next couple of days.Any help appreciated on the cold start issue.
Raymond
I recently purchased a 1992 plymouth laser as a project car. The problem I am having with it is that it is extremely hard to start when cold. I crank and crank and it tries to start then crank and crank again and it starts and barely idles... whole motor shakes then if I try to apply any acceleration it dies immediately. So then I crank it again until it starts and I just let it run on its own for about 5 mins and then it runs great with no issues. So I am stumped why it won't hardly run when cold. It runs like a champ warmed up. The check engine light is on as well but I don't have the money to get the code checked. Also I noticed that someone bypassed the cooling fan switch and wired it direct. So now everythime you turn the key on the stupid fan runs. I am going to try to get a new fan switch for it in next couple of days.Any help appreciated on the cold start issue.
Raymond
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Joined: Nov 2005
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RE: 92 plymouth laser cold start problem!
Take it to Autozone. They will check the check engine light for free, BUT DON'T BUY THE PART THEY TELL YOU IS BAD! Yet... All a check engine light tells you is the general problem, not the EXACT problem. If it says Idle air motor fault, don't go out and buy the idle air motor first thing. Do some checking to see WHY it's throwing a fault first, like, is it plugged in? That's how they get you to buy a bunch of parts you don't need. Have the code read, then go through and diagnose what parts need replaced, if any.
As for the fan, that usually happens when somebody doesn't take the time to find out why the fan isn't working, like after it overheats... It's faster and cheaper to just wire it so it runs constantly. But then the engine can run too cool and fuel economy can drop. The whole open/closed loop thing... I never liked the idea of a computer running the car so once I knew where the normal operating temp range was, I wired my fan with a switch so I could control it. Works excellent and never had a cooling issue. My preference though.
As for the fan, that usually happens when somebody doesn't take the time to find out why the fan isn't working, like after it overheats... It's faster and cheaper to just wire it so it runs constantly. But then the engine can run too cool and fuel economy can drop. The whole open/closed loop thing... I never liked the idea of a computer running the car so once I knew where the normal operating temp range was, I wired my fan with a switch so I could control it. Works excellent and never had a cooling issue. My preference though.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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RE: 92 plymouth laser cold start problem!
Pick up the haynes manual for the plymouth laser/eagle talon/mitsubishi eclipse. It should tell you in there how to pull the codes. They cost around $15-ish and they come in handy for just about every repair. I've had one for my 85 Laser for about 15 years and it looks like death warmed over, but I never do a repair without it, whether I need it or not.