Strange intermittent start

NIKwoaC · Apr 4, 2010

Well, my whole starting system is pretty much new, after ongoing hot start issues, I've replaced the battery, starter, and all the cables with bigger gauge cables. The hot start issue is gone now, but I've been having a strange intermittent problem where the engine will crank freely but not fire for several seconds, or I have to stop cranking it and try again. The engine cranks very strong, and once it DOES start, the engine sounds normal and goes into typical start up, with high idle for a few seconds, then settles down into a ~800 rpm idle, like normal.

I haven't pulled any codes or really done any investigating, because other than taking a little while to start, it really isn't a big problem right now. I just want to know if this is an omen of trouble to come, like is something wearing out, but not completely failed? The car is creeping up in mileage (it's pushing 90K) so I figure things are starting to get tired.

Thoughts?

ctrout71 · Apr 4, 2010

My 95 (5.0) was doing the same thing. I don't know if mine was related to temperature but it seemed to only do it the first time that it was started for the day. After it had been driven, it would have no trouble starting. I replaced the PIP sensor, also called the stator, inside the distributor, and I have not had any starting issues since. The part I used was manufactured by BWD and came with a lifetime warranty for $25 from Schucks/O'reiley. It was a bit of trouble getting the gear off the distributor but for 1/4 the price of a new one, it was well worth it. This is the article I used to do the replacement. Worked like a charm. How-To: Rebuild Your Distributor and Replace the Stator Oh, and my car is at 74,000 miles and had no codes. I would think that eventually, the PIP could fail completely and leave you stranded if it is having issues. I'm not guaranteeing that this is your problem but if you have run the no start checklist, or don't think it would help because it's an intermittent problem (I didn't run the checklist for this reason) then it's a highly likely and probably the cheapest component to replace.

NIKwoaC · Apr 5, 2010

ctrout71 said:
My 95 (5.0) was doing the same thing. I don't know if mine was related to temperature but it seemed to only do it the first time that it was started for the day. After it had been driven, it would have no trouble starting. I replaced the PIP sensor, also called the stator, inside the distributor, and I have not had any starting issues since. The part I used was manufactured by BWD and came with a lifetime warranty for $25 from Schucks/O'reiley. It was a bit of trouble getting the gear off the distributor but for 1/4 the price of a new one, it was well worth it. This is the article I used to do the replacement. Worked like a charm. How-To: Rebuild Your Distributor and Replace the Stator Oh, and my car is at 74,000 miles and had no codes. I would think that eventually, the PIP could fail completely and leave you stranded if it is having issues. I'm not guaranteeing that this is your problem but if you have run the no start checklist, or don't think it would help because it's an intermittent problem (I didn't run the checklist for this reason) then it's a highly likely and probably the cheapest component to replace.

Thanks for the link, I'll look into that. Anybody else with any experience?

stielow775 · Apr 6, 2010

Check your ignition switch that is under the dash to make sure its still tight. The nylon housing that is pressed into the metal sometimes comes loose which causes random problems. If its original replace it, also had good results with borg warner part.

Matt

NIKwoaC · Apr 6, 2010

stielow775 said:
Check your ignition switch that is under the dash to make sure its still tight. The nylon housing that is pressed into the metal sometimes comes loose which causes random problems. If its original replace it, also had good results with borg warner part.

Matt

If the engine is cranking fine, would this be an issue?

skunk21 · Apr 6, 2010

NikwoaC does this happen when the car has been sitting for along time like over night then it's fine after or everytime you go to start it? I had an issue on another car with a hard start after it sat then got worse over time. I found out fuel pump was getting weak/ bad chack valve and it would loose it's prime, the pressure would bleed back. the 1st few cranks actually repressurizes the fuel system then it fires and would be fine the rest of the day until it real bad and I finally replaced the pump and it was fine after. just a thought.

NIKwoaC · Apr 6, 2010

greensvt21 said:
NikwoaC does this happen when the car has been sitting for along time like over night then it's fine after or everytime you go to start it? I had an issue on another car with a hard start after it sat then got worse over time. I found out fuel pump was getting weak/ bad chack valve and it would loose it's prime, the pressure would bleed back. the 1st few cranks actually repressurizes the fuel system then it fires and would be fine the rest of the day until it real bad and I finally replaced the pump and it was fine after. just a thought.

I have wondered if it is an issue of the fuel pump showing its age. I can hear it prime when I turn the key, but I SEEM to notice this problem more when I jam the key in and twist it all the way to start. If I sit in the car and turn the key to the run position, wait for a second and listen for the pump to prime, then turn it to start, it seems to want to fire up more quickly.

Problem is, this issue has been very sporadic, so its hard to say if there is really any correlation. Its all just speculation at this point.

stielow775 · Apr 6, 2010

Yes a bad ignition switch will cause intermittent start problems. If its original I would replace it they tend to wear out. To check for a faulty fuel pump let it sit overnight, and check fuel pressure. If it has no fuel pressure its got a bad check valve in the fuel pump. It should hold fuel pressure overnight. If not its a faulty fuel pump or a leaking injector. If its a random start problem its either the ignition switch which will let you crank over forever but hard to start or the pip in the distributor.

Matt

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