Chrysler Repair: hard starting/hot only, air fuel mixture, desert climate

Question
91 new yorker. 17,000 miles.originally driven in desert climate. hard starting only when after driven.no repairs prevoiusly made.fuel filter replaced. car is now used in cool climate.(maine)

Answer
Hi Al,
There are two temperature sensors that are supposed to take into account the temp of the coolant and the temp of the air/fuel mixture and make the adjustments in the mixture to insure that it starts and runs. Fortunately there is an on-board diagnostic capability that allows you to readout the engine controller to see if it has detected any problems in such sensors and in many other parts of the engine control system. So I would suggest that you begin by doing a readout as follows: Take your ignition key and turn the ignition switch "on-off-on-off-on" and leave it "on". Do this switching quickly so that no more than 5 seconds elapses. Then watch the 'check engine' light to begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause and make a note of them in the order that they come. The last two flash groups will be 5 in each. Repeat the readout until you have the numbers accurately (the same result, two times in a row). Then pair the numbers two at a time in the order they came, to form two-digit numbers, for example the last number will be 55 which is the code for "end of readout". Then write back and tell me the other numbers that came out and I'll see if any of them are related to your problem. I suspect the charge temperature sensor is the one that is giving you a problem (if you have the 3.3 or 3.8L engine, that one is code 23). But tell me the numbers, and also which engine you have.
Roland