intermittent starting

seph

seph

New member
So this has happened to me twice now. I get back into my car after a short errand, and it cranks but won't fire. The first time it happened, I tried a few times and pulled out the key. I put it back in and it fired right up. Today though, I cranked and cranked and after about a minute or two of crank, wait, crank, pull the key, crank, wait, pull the key, crank, wait, and fires. And after it did fire, it acted like it was flooded. And then it was fine. I got home and turned it off and tried it again. No problem, fired first turn. Could it be the chip in my key getting weak? What else could it be?

 
Intermittent stuff like this is really hard to diagnose. When it's working, you can't diagnose it because it's working... So you have to catch it not working, then diag.

When it won't start, check the vitals. Is it getting spark? Fuel?

Can your hear the fuel pump running when you turn the key? When it won't start spray some Throttle Body cleaner in the TB and see if it starts, then dies. Could rule out a bad fuel pump.

The chip in the key works via RFID, so there's no battery to go dead.

 
When my fuel pump relay went, I could crank it forever and it wouldn't turn over. Sprayed starter fluid in the manifold and it started right up. Mike found the bad relay in like 5 minutes. Once we installed that new relay, no problems.

 
quick check on fuel pump relay: have an assistant listen at open fuel filler neck for a quick buzz when you turn key to start position.

another check: locate relay (usu up under kick panel, buried behind hood latch area) and feel while you cycle key on to Engine STat position, you should feel relay click/buzz...if not, it's toast.

 
couldn't've bought another car at a better time
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Well said Lobstah. And if I hadn't just dropped it off at evergreen I could drive it to the parts store. xD But I'll do some checking this morning. I usually wait for the pump to pressurize the system before starting. But I've stopped actually listening for the pump and just waiting, so I'll have to listen and check the relay also.

 
This morning, pump buzzed and it started right up. I'll just have to pay attention this week.

 
Mine starts weird after every CEL code clearing. maybe your computer is losing power due to a bad ground or battery low voltage issue.

 
And it happened again this morning. I heard the pump buzz, turned to start, and just cranking. Also, like a week and a half ago, it started up, and supttered.....and stalled. Started it back up...same thing...stalled....And again... Fourth or fifth time, it started, and sputtered, and came out of it....

I'd like to check the coil packs, to see if I'm getting spark. But that would require more time than I had this morning...I was 30 minutes late for work as it was.

I did get it running this morning though...instead of waiting for the buzz to stop, I turned the key about half way thgouth the pump pressurizing.

I'm open for more ideas guys/gals. I'm thinking the pump is on it's way out. What do you think?

 
So, I'm leaning towards the pump is on it's way out, between the sputtering, and the non-starting...

anyone else have a guess?

 
Do you get any codes at all? Try holding your foot to the floor while turning the key, and see if it ends up starting.

 
ok, zombie thread rises....

So my starting issues continue. I replaced the fuel pump relay, and that didn't fix it. But I also have more symptoms to lay out on the table here.

I've had it not start the first time twice since I picked it up from EG. And both times after it didn't start, I'd work the ignition off and on. After working it for a minute or so, and then trying to start it, it'd fire, sputter, and stall. Sadly, both times I was away from the house, so I had limited troubleshooting abilities. But after working the key some more...it starts and runs fine. I can go down the road, put my foot into it, and it goes like there's nothing wrong.

I'm wondering if maybe the pump isn't building enough pressure at the first key turn. Could it be the pump, or maybe the regulator is failing....

If anyone has any other ideas, I'd love some input.

Thanks!

 
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