Chrysler Repair: neon 1996, hard start

Question
i changed the fuel pump after i was told my fuel pump is bad.  then came starting the car, it had to be cranked 8-9 times before it started running and it would sputter , idle rough the car shaking and then die. i checked the plugs and there are blackened even though there are fairly new, there are no codes and i dont know where to start now as the mechanic is also shunning the job. Plse assist

Answer
Hi Tony,I found your question to Kevin in the 'pool' where he had referred it. I am still away on vacation but will return home Sunday night. So send me a follow-up quesntion on Monday and tell me about what you found with the egr valve and the spray pattern of the fuel injector at the the throat of the throttle body if you can get it to run. If it won't run, have a helper crank the engine while you observe the spray pattern. It should be a very fine, and symmetrical spray pattern with no dripping either while cranking or immediately after the cranking is stopped. I do believe that you either have a stuck open slightly egr valve or you have a fuel injector that has failed. I have had both those scperiences with my '89 throttle body injected 2.5L engine.
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Thanks,
Roland