2003 DODGE NEON RUNS ROUGH

ill suggest that fuel pressure is way low. should be more like 40 to 60 psi for a fuel injected engine

7 p.s.i.

Start with the simple and replace your fuel filter, a dirty filter can cause your engine from starting. At worst, your fuel pump has failed and will need to be replaced. Before replacing the fuel pump, inspect all the fuses and wire leads from the fuel pump harness. Note: that the ground wire is separately grounded at the frame, so inspect that for any damage due to corrosion.

You need 3 things.
Compression
Good hot blue spark to all plugs.
Good gasoline and proper fuel pressure. 63-64 lbs.
If you have all 3 then move on to injector pulse to all injectors. I think each injector is on a seperate driver on that one. Check for pulse to all of them.

You may be weak on fuel pressure, even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start. Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems. One test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem.
Run the full fuel pressure test, here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure. Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
* Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure. If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
* Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
* Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more. and if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump. If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.

You need 3 things.
Compression
Good hot blue spark to all plugs.
Good gasoline and proper fuel pressure. 63-64 lbs.
If you have all 3 then move on to injector pulse to all injectors.
I think each injector is on a separate driver on that one.
Check for pulse to all of them.

You may be weak on fuel pressure . Even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start. Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems.one test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If you get a intake or engine full of starting fluid it can blow things. Carb cleaner will start it if it is a fuel problem and lot safer. Also in the good old days when i was a kid, i used to get a couple of cans of starting fluid and get in the back and have a good starting fluid spraying contest. Good for a big blast if someone lights a match. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem. Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures.

Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel. Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump.
If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.
What are the pressure readings that you have done.
What are your cold start pressure readings?

You need 3 things.
Compression
Good hot blue spark to all plugs.
Good gasoline and proper fuel pressure. 63-64 lbs.
If you have all 3 then move on to injector pulse to all injectors.
I think each injector is on a separate driver on that one.
Check for pulse to all of them.

You may be weak on fuel pressure . even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start.
Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems.
one test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem.
Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures.
Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump.
If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.
What are the pressure readings that you have done.
What are your cold start pressure readings?
Post back what you have.

The other thing to is when was the last time the fuel filter was replaced? The fuel filter may have got to the end of it's like and may need to be replaced, the fuel filer should be replaced every 15,000 miles or once a year to ensure the fuel system is running 100%.

Good luck and keep me posted, be glad to help you get your blazer running again soon.

You need 3 things.
Compression
Good hot blue spark to all plugs.
Good gasoline and proper fuel pressure. 63-64 lbs.
If you have all 3 then move on to injector pulse to all injectors.
I think each injector is on a separate driver on that one.
Check for pulse to all of them.

You may be weak on fuel pressure . even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start.
Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems.
one test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem.
Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures.
Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel. Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump.
If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.
What are the pressure readings that you have when done.
What are your cold start pressure readings?
Post back what you have. Good luck

You need 3 things.
Compression
Good hot blue spark to all plugs.
Good gasoline and proper fuel pressure. 63-64 lbs.
If you have all 3 then move on to injector pulse to all injectors.
I think each injector is on a separate driver on that one.
Check for pulse to all of them.

You may be weak on fuel pressure . even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start.
Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems.
one test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem.
Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures.
Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump.
If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.
What are the pressure readings that you have done.
What are your cold start pressure readings?
Post back what you have.

The other thing to that is common is the (ICM) under the distributor cap. There is a breather screen on the bottom of the distributor that get's clogged with dirt causing condensation promoting corrosion, this was gm TSB for replacing the cap and rotor to make sure it's clean.

Good luck and hope this helps. Merry Xmas.

You may be weak on fuel pressure . even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start.
Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems.
one test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem.
Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures.
Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump.
If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.
What are the pressure readings that you have done.
What are your cold start pressure readings?
Post back what you have. Good Luck

You may be weak on fuel pressure . even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start.
Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems.
one test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem.
Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures.
Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.
Post back fuel pressure readings.

The 75-85 is only a check on the capable full pressure of fuel pump.
If you can not find the rubber return line check full pressure by plugging return line or just or the true full pressure can be taken direct at the end fuel filter.

What are the pressure readings that you have done. Good luck and hope the fuel pump is not a bad one you put in there, it's know to happen.

You need 3 things.
Compression
Good hot blue spark to all plugs.
Good gasoline and proper fuel pressure. 63-64 lbs.
If you have all 3 then move on to injector pulse to all injectors.

You may be weak on fuel pressure . even a couple of lbs low on a cold start will cause a no start. Double check cold start cranking fuel pressure. If under 63-62 lbs you have problems. One test is to give it a squirt of carb cleaner not starting fluid. If it starts then you have a fuel pressure problem. Run the full fuel pressure test and post back pressures. Here is the guide lines on testing.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.

Also you mentioned that you replaced the fuel pump, it's common for the $15.00 wire harness from the fuel pump to the frame will break and there is a bad connection till the wires heat up. You can try this trick, turn your ignition on for 30 seconds "engine not running" and then turn it off for for 5 seconds and then try to start. This will energize the fuel line if the fuel line check valve is bad which is a part of the fuel pump and will heat up the wire harness which will make a better connection and see if the engine starts easier. Regardless, inspect the wire harness for corrosion and the ground is good. Good luck and keep me posted.