Chrysler Repair: Chrysler Cirrus 1995: unreliable starting, chrysler cirrus, 1995 chrysler cirrus

Question
1995 Chrysler Cirrus w 2.5 V6 and 131000 mls.  Two problems, one is that car will only start intermittently. Worse on cold days.  If I rock or shake car while attempting to start, it will often work and car will start.  Second problem, tach does not work.  Please help.

Answer
Hi Kevin,
The first thing to do is to see if you can get the engine computer to tell you if it has observed any problems and what there cause might be (fault codes). Use the ignition key: "On-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. The check engine light will remain "on" but then begin to flash, pause, flash, etc.
Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to assure an accurate count. The last two sets of flashes will always be 5 in each. Then group the numbers in pairs in the order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault codes. The last number is always 55 which means "end of readout". Then either write back and tell me the other numbers or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code list.
Roland