I have a Chrysler 300C (5.7 hemi V8), with 53K miles. I?ve recently been encountering an intermittent problem when starting, The starter engages, but after 3 or 4 seconds I know it is not going to start, so I stop cranking and try it again. Sometimes it starts right up (within 1 second), other times I have to repeat the process a couple times. If I continue to crank the engine it will eventually start after 5 or 6 seconds, but then several yellow warning lights are on indicating the ABS, ESP or air bags are not functioning properly. (I then turn it off and restart it).
It happens in all temps and in all weather conditions, although it does seem to happen more often in hot weather rather than cooler temps (like now in October).
I?ve had it at the dealer?s several times, the dealer has contacted the techies at Chrysler (one of whom has the exact same problem with his non-hemi 300), but they have no idea what the problem is or of course how to solve it.
The fuel pump tests out ok; gas was tested for water and ethanol (no water, ethanol is 8%); computer tests are ok (no error codes, even after the problem occurred a couple times while at the dealers?). I?ve tried different brands of gas, filled up a couple times with premium, nothing helps. Dealer says it?s not the coils or the spark plugs as the problem would happen all the time.
Any ideas as to what this may be and how to fix it?
The next time you go to start it, turn the ignition switch to the RUN position so that the dash lights come on for a second or two, then turn the ignition switch OFF. Repeat this a half dozen times and then try starting the engine. If the engine starts right up, it may indicate there’s a problem with the anti-drain-back valve in the fuel pump assembly.
Tester