Problem with 98 Avenger

[69_500]

Okay so I know its not my Charger, but these new cars confuse me even more than the older ones.

Here is the deal.

You can't start the car without pumping the pedal while turning the key over. Logical assumption by me was that it was a fuel related issue. So I started with changing the fuel filter, as well as the fuel pump. However now the car still has the same issue, only a new one along with it. If your driving the car, and you come to a stop, the car will die unless you keep applying slight pressure to the pedal.

Today the check engine light finally comes on, after about 2 days of this problem. (a little late if you ask me) Anyways, I take it to get it hooked up to a diagnostic computer and it says it is the MAP sensor that is shorting out, so I purchase one of those. Simple install (1 minute) and fire the car up. Only it still wont start without pumping gas pedal, and it still dies when you come to a stop unless you keep feathering the throttle. So I'm thinking his diagnostic computer was off, but wondering what else it could be. I did some searching and saw that there is also a throttle sensor, that appears to be on the same bunch of wires coming out of the harness  that the MAP sensor is on. I'm wondering if the diagnostic computer made a mistake and its this sensor.

Anyways I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever encountered a problem like this, or if anyone works on these newer cars and has any ideas.

I'm as confused as can be on these stupid cars with EFI. They are great when they run right, don't get me wrong, but I prefer cars without computers. Just give me wrenches, and screwdrivers, instead of having to hook stuff up to a computer.

[70charger_boy]

I had the same problem with my dakota.  It turned out that I had 2 bad fuel injectors and a bad distributor rotor.  Does your car stutter when you do 60mph?  Are you losing gas mileage?

[69_500]

No stutter when driving, and fuel economy is really close to where it has always been. Odly enough I'm getting better than the origional window sticker said. I average about 27 mpg on the highway, and really that is about all the driving I do with the car.

[69_500]

Okay here in an update, not that anyone cars about newer cars, but oh well. It wasn't the Map sensor, or the throttle sensor, what it all boiled down to was a leaking gasket on the intake manifold. So after countless trips to the parts store finally got the problem solved. Bad side is that all those sensors have warranties, but aren't returnable. So now I'm stuck with 2 fuel pumps, 2 map sensors, and 2 throttle sensors. I guess I'll have the extra's still laying around 15 years from now too.