Starter Problem?

JonBeast · Dec 11, 2009

I'm not sure if this is a starter problem...or if its something else causing this problem...

Now that it is cold outside, my car will start fine...but if I drive it a short distance turn it off and then try to start it again it wont fire up. It cranks but it won't start? (ie. I drive it down the street to the store and turn it off...go inside, come out and it won't start back up) However, if I go back to it about an hour later, it will start but very roughly.

Also, I've found that if I drive my car around a lot and get it warm, park it, then start it again it will start fine...

So it seems that once it is cold outside...my car can't start cold twice in a row?

Any help is appreciated :dontknow:

duff daddy · Dec 11, 2009

If the engine cranks then you more then likly will not have an issue with a starter, its more to be an ignition or fuel delivery issue. IE leaking or dripping injector, or you could have a coil pack failing or shorting when its up to temp or a fuel pump losing pressure when hot.... some diagnosis will be needed

JonBeast · Dec 11, 2009

No it starts up again when the engine is warmed up (after a 10-15 min drive)...it won't start up again when its cold (after a 2 minute drive down the street)...

duff daddy · Dec 11, 2009

but it starts up ok when cold ie sitting over night?

JonBeast · Dec 11, 2009

Yes...sitting overnight, it will start up the first time... but if I drive it a short distance, shut it off, then try to start it again it won't start. However...if I let it sit for about an hour after the last crank attempt, and go back to it...it will start.

But...if I start it up after letting it sit overnight...and then drive around for 10-15 minutes where the engine warms up to normal temps, turn it off, then turn it back on it will fire up.

So essentially, it doesn't start 2 times in a row when the engine is cold...but it will start a second time if it is warm.

Do you get what I'm saying? Its weird and kind of hard to explain.

duff daddy · Dec 11, 2009

humm that is pretty odd you may need to start monitoring things I'm assuming no check engine light, no faults??

see if yo Can get a Fuel pressure gauge and hook that up make sure that's OK, if pressure is OK you still may have a leaky or drippy injector but alot of the times that happens after a hot soak.

CC'S95GT · Dec 11, 2009

I'm no real good with ya'lls mod motors, but I think it's 1 of 3 things, Alternator, Starter, or Battery.
When it doesn't start, does it turn over OK and just not fire, or does it not turn over at all?

JonBeast · Dec 11, 2009

Its not the alt/starter/battery...it cranks fine, no clicking, just never fires up...cranks over and over and over...

Javi · Dec 11, 2009

vermilion · Dec 11, 2009

i had this issue on my explorer. it turned out the iac was done and intake manifold gaskets were not sealing. the stang always turned over except when the starter ground need to jiggle to start.

JonBeast · Dec 12, 2009

Thanks Vermilion...I was talking to ThePope and Duff_Daddy...and they mentioned the IAC as well, I am going to look into it and see if that solves the problem.

JonBeast · Dec 16, 2009

Well I bought some throttle body cleaner...pulled off my IAC, cleaned it...threw it back on, and everything seems good.

My idle is rock solid now, and it seems to start every time. Kinda difficult to tell if my starting problems are fixed, as it was a pretty random issue, but I think I'm good.

Thanks for the help guys :thumbsup:

ThePope · Dec 16, 2009

Glad you fixed the issue. If it happens again and it's the IAC, I would just replace it. No sense of keep cleaning it every time it messes up on you. They are inexpensive.

vermilion · Dec 16, 2009

this reminds me to take off my throttle body and thoroughly clean it. and upper elbow. one of my exes cars done this same issue but hers was a constant hydro lock... damn VWs.