# 98 Neon Inconsistent Starting

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-neon-inconsistent-starting/51894>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** neon, starting, dodge\
**Created:** [July 15, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-neon-inconsistent-starting/51894 "2010-07-15T22:51:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![harpster06](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/harpster06/32/4714_2.png) [@harpster06](https://community.cartalk.com/u/harpster06)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-neon-inconsistent-starting/51894/1 "2010-07-15T22:51:51Z")

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My 98 Neon has been inconsistent when starting since I bought it a year and a half ago, with 65.5k miles. Sometimes it cranks for a long time, sometimes it turns over right away. 100 degrees or below zero, same story. If it’s sat for a long time, it generally takes longer. And sometimes, when it’s been cranking for a long time (5 seconds+), I let up on starting and it kinda sputters a little like it’s trying to turn over, then it either turns over or dies. Also, tends to take a lot longer when I have less than half a tank of gas.  
  
 It has 73.5k on it right now. Major transmission service 7k ago, got a new battery 5k ago, new plugs & air filter .5k ago, and oil changes every 3k-4k miles.  
  
 I’ve done my research, and I’ve seen two possible issues that could cause this. The most popular one is a bad starter. The other less popular one is a faulty/bad check valve in the fuel pump assembly that lets fuel back into the gas tank when I turn it off. Seeing as how sometimes my car sputters like it’s running out of gas just before turning over, and how it’s faster to turn over when I have more than half a tank of gas, I’m gonna say it’s not the starter.  
  
 So, my question is this: If it’s the check valve, will I have to replace the whole fuel pump assembly or just one part of it, like the pump or the fuel pressure regulator. Or, is it something completely different?

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**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-neon-inconsistent-starting/51894/2 "2010-07-16T00:06:51Z")

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I would have the ignition coil checked. These cars were infamous for weak ignition coils. Its easy to test by checking the primary, and secondary resistance with a ohm meter to see if its within spec. The Haynes manual has the procedure, and the resistance specification if you want to try and check the coil yourself.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-neon-inconsistent-starting/51894/3 "2010-07-16T00:53:30Z")

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If you conclude the problem is with fuel delivery, you will need to replace the fuel pump. The pump and check valve are all one single unit. It’s not a bad DIY job if you are so inclined, since you don’t have to drop the tank. Access is from underneath the car and there is a drain to remove remaining fuel.