Try this: turn the key on for 2 seconds without cranking turn off and repeat 3 times then try to start. If it starts easily then the backflow valve in the fuel pump is bad allowing the fuel to drain back when parked, which is causing the issue. P. S. someone may have replaced the fuel pump before you got it with a cheapie.
It sounds like a leaky fuel injector allowing the system to lose pressure when the car is off. Turn the key on without trying to start the car. That will let the fuel pump run. After a few seconds turn the key to start. If the car starts you found the problem, leaking fuel injector.
It cranks over. That indicates that neither the battery nor the starter is the problem. When it starts and runs "even shaky" it is running. It needs to see a tune up mechanic or should I say every mechanic would and could give it a tune up.
Could be the weak battery, or the starter if doesn't crank hard enough.
Could be something else (Like the spark plugs, spark plug wires, ignition coils, wore out distributor cap and rotor). All older cars do that. Parts on them have wore out.
Pull all the spark plugs out and check for their sparks.
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And the cold start fuel injector, too. If your car has one.
At cold start, the engine sprays in more gas to help start it up.
Maybe because it's been used too much. You should have it towed to the dealer to make sure this car is fine.
time for an upgrade me thinks
I have had my 1997 Dodge Neon for a little over 3 years now and its always taken longer than normal to start but now it's getting worse. I have to crank it once for a few seconds, and then one more time before it starts. Sometimes it takes 3 cranks. When it does start it kind of shakes and sounds like its having a hard time starting. Does this sound like a battery problem or starter problem or what?
