Neon Cold Start Misfire Points to Faulty Injector Fix

Had the same cold start problems with my 1998 Chrysler Stratus. The symptoms matched exactly, rough idle and misfiring during cold starts, but normal operation once warmed up. The fuel injection system diagnosis revealed two faulty injectors causing incomplete fuel delivery during cold starts. The injector test showed inconsistent spray patterns and poor atomization. This explained why the engine struggled specifically during cold starts when proper fuel delivery is most critical. The repair involved replacing both injectors plus cleaning the entire fuel injection system. This was a serious repair since faulty injectors can lead to: Increased fuel consumption, Catalyst damage, Engine performance degradation, Potential engine damage if left untreated After the repair, cold starts became instant and the rough idle completely disappeared. Regular fuel injection system maintenance helps prevent similar issues. Definitely worth getting a proper injector test done given your symptoms. The fact that your fuel system check was 6 months ago does not rule out injector problems, as they can develop relatively quickly due to contaminated fuel or normal wear.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the injector replacement. I am seeing identical hard starting issues on my 2002 Neon, especially during cold mornings with severe engine misfire. I am planning to have the injectors tested next week. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you paid for the complete repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix or have you noticed any other fuel system related problems?

After the injector replacement and cleaning service performed on my Stratus, all the cold start problems and rough idle issues completely disappeared. The repair cost came to 515€ for diagnosing and replacing the defective injection valve. The fuel delivery has been perfect since the fix, no more hard starting or engine misfiring in the mornings. The engine starts immediately and idles smoothly, even during the coldest starts. This confirmed that the faulty cold start injector was definitely the root cause. Have not experienced any other fuel system related issues in the months following the repair. The investment was worth it to prevent potential long-term engine damage from continued poor fuel atomization. Would recommend getting your injectors tested as planned, the symptoms you describe are very similar to what I experienced before the repair. Keep in mind a proper diagnosis may reveal additional maintenance needs beyond just the injector replacement, but addressing these cold start problems early is important for protecting engine health.

Here's how I resolved my starting problems, went to the mechanic last week after reading the helpful responses here. The fuel injection system diagnosis confirmed faulty injectors were causing my cold start troubles. The mechanic performed a complete injector test which showed poor spray patterns, explaining the hard starting and rough running when cold. They recommended replacing two injectors and doing a full fuel system cleaning. Total repair came to 490€. Really glad I had it fixed, the Neon now starts instantly even on cold mornings with no more misfiring or rough idle. The engine runs noticeably smoother overall. The mechanic explained that contaminated fuel likely caused the injector problems despite the recent fuel system check. For anyone else experiencing similar cold start issues, definitely get the injectors tested. Waiting too long with faulty injectors risks more expensive engine repairs down the road. The investment in proper diagnosis and repair was completely worth it for reliable starting and better engine performance.