Just bought a 1993 Dodge Stealth. It started the first day and sounded and looked good. The next day it wouldn't start and we tried jumping it, but it wouldn't start with a jump. We checked the fluids and a few things. The next day without trying anything, it just started. It was fine for a couple of days. We haven't driven it in a couple of days and when we went to start it wouldn't start again. It sounds like it wants to start (it cranks), but it won't turn over. What do you think it could be? Thank you for your time.

Yes, it is very possible you may be able to replace the caps, I do have the capacitors as I had rebuilt an ECU for my Montero, tried another time and I fried the mother board "ooops". To check for spark, simply disconnect the ignition coil from the distributor and place the lead by a grounded piece of metal, manifold or such, leave a quarter inch gap or so between the metal alead and ground; have friend crank the engine over and watch for a spark at the wire lead, best with lights in garage turned down some. If no spark....Bingo you have an answer. If spark check for injector pulse, borrow a set of NOID lightsfrom AutoZone or such parts store, unclip one of the injectors and place the NOID lights in the injector wire lead. Have engine cranked over and watch for injector pulse (the light will flash) if you have spark and injector pulse chances are it is the fuel pump. There is a fuel pump relay in the car under a trim piece just right of th shifter, With radio off and everything quiet crank engine over and listen for click, if working you'll hear it open after you turn the key off, if this is ok listen for the fuel pump when you turn key to "ON" position but do not crank over engine. You should hear a faint whine or hum from the fuel pump (located in the gas tank) if you don't hear it try disconnecting a fuel line and have engine cranked over for a very brief moment as if it is working gas will flow PLEASE BE CAREFUL to see if fuel flows, if nothing it is your fuel pump or such. If it is the fuel pump no worrys as that is easy to access thru the bottom of the trunk.

My money says ECU.

Please let me know on what you find.
Tom

PS: If you want to try to rebuild the ECU let me know and I'll send you a set no charge, darn things only cost 15-cents each. If they fix the problem, and we ever meet, you can by me a beer, LOL Yes, it is very possible you may be able to replace the caps, I do have the capacitors as I had rebuilt an ECU for my Montero, tried another time and I fried the mother board "ooops". To check for spark, simply disconnect the ignition coil from the distributor and place the lead by a grounded piece of metal, manifold or such, leave a quarter inch gap or so between the metal alead and ground; have friend crank the engine over and watch for a spark at the wire lead, best with lights in garage turned down some. If no spark....Bingo you have an answer. If spark check for injector pulse, borrow a set of NOID lightsfrom AutoZone or such parts store, unclip one of the injectors and place the NOID lights in the injector wire lead. Have engine cranked over and watch for injector pulse (the light will flash) if you have spark and injector pulse chances are it is the fuel pump. There is a fuel pump relay in the car under a trim piece just right of th shifter, With radio off and everything quiet crank engine over and listen for click, if working you'll hear it open after you turn the key off, if this is ok listen for the fuel pump when you turn key to "ON" position but do not crank over engine. You should hear a faint whine or hum from the fuel pump (located in the gas tank) if you don't hear it try disconnecting a fuel line and have engine cranked over for a very brief moment as if it is working gas will flow PLEASE BE CAREFUL to see if fuel flows, if nothing it is your fuel pump or such. If it is the fuel pump no worrys as that is easy to access thru the bottom of the trunk. My money says ECU. Please let me know on what you find. Tom PS: If you want to try to rebuild the ECU let me know and I'll send you a set no charge, darn things only cost 15-cents each. If they fix the problem, and we ever meet, you can by me a beer, LOL

Just noted that the engine may not be cranking over but appears to want to (idiot me) if the engine is weak to turn over it could just be a bad battery, pull the battery and bring to parts store to be checked (a very bad battery will not even let you start with a jump) If the battery checks out I expect it is the starter, not too bad to replace located at he front-side of the engine. Always be ceratin to remove the ground cable if removing the starter as if the cable touches it can be very bad.

Thanks,
Tom Just noted that the engine may not be cranking over but appears to want to (idiot me) if the engine is weak to turn over it could just be a bad battery, pull the battery and bring to parts store to be checked (a very bad battery will not even let you start with a jump) If the battery checks out I expect it is the starter, not too bad to replace located at he front-side of the engine. Always be ceratin to remove the ground cable if removing the starter as if the cable touches it can be very bad. Thanks, Tom

i gotta 93 stealth base doing the same thing i got a ecu off ebay for 100 bucks instaled it and the car started right up drove it for 15 mins and my belt tensioner pulley broke and the car never started back up after that so i took my old ecu and sent it to avpro ecm and had them rebild it for 200 bucks got it back put it in and still wont fire just cranks do i some how gotta reset the ecu so it can find the car or something i gotta 93 stealth base doing the same thing i got a ecu off ebay for 100 bucks instaled it and the car started right up drove it for 15 mins and my belt tensioner pulley broke and the car never started back up after that so i took my old ecu and sent it to avpro ecm and had them rebild it for 200 bucks got it back put it in and still wont fire just cranks do i some how gotta reset the ecu so it can find the car or something