Intermittent starting problem 2.4 litre - Dealer can't find any problem? anyone else have this issue?

[csrMark]

Okay.. I have a 2010 Dodge Journey with the 2.4 litre.  It has 140,000km's on it. (85,000 miles)

It has the strangest intermittent starting issue I have ever seen.   DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM

 

I will describe this the best I can.

Went to the bank today.  10 minutes of driving.

Came out and it cranked over fine and it would fart occasionally but not catch.

I would let go of the key and when it did the starter would stop.

Tried again with pumping gas pedal but even by adding gas pedal it didnt fire up or change any farting behaviour.

I doubt that gas is the problem.

I have put in cans of Sea Foam over the last few fuel fills and I even tried running 94 octane

 

But here is what also happened on 3 of 10 or 15 starting attempts.

The whole car would shake like the engine and starter was running but when i let go of the key and the key sprang back to the run position, the starter kept running on its own along with the maybe idling engine...even though the key sprang back.

As it does this, the car kinda shakes which is why i think that the engine is actually idling with the starter motor running along with it.

I wish i thought to open the door to see if i heard the exhaust as that might have helped confirm if the engine was idling.

Also could be a separate problem that the starter motor is not disengaging. Whatever tells the starter to keep cranking and not let go.

Is there a module or relay or solenoid i dont know?

 

But if you wait a few minutes then the car starts fine

This seems to be the pattern.

 

It usually only happens with a hot engine. Only on one occasion did it not start when cold. But then started fine after a couple hours

Also when it did start , the starter and engjne maybe idling at the same time, this would last for 4 or 5 seconds and then it would all stop together

 

ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[larryl]

Have you had the WIN module updated? I believe there was a recall

Also pumping the gas pedal does nothing on a fuel injected engine could be the fuel pump or many things 

You should record whats happening on your phone if you can then you have proof and a visual for the dealer

[Joeq]

Does your dodge journey shutter or shake when driving between 60 and 80kms?

[jkeaton]

18 hours ago, Joeq said:

Does your dodge journey shutter or shake when driving between 60 and 80kms?

 

That person posted one time and never came back.