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Trouble starting the engine

  • Thread starter Thread starter Durrman
  • Start date Start date Dec 11, 2003
D

Durrman

New Member
Nov 1, 2003
14
0
0
Ottawa, Canada
Dec 11, 2003
#1
  • Dec 11, 2003
  • #1
I have a 2003 GT. Every now and then, I'm having a bit of trouble getting my car to start. I experience the following:

1) I turn the key to start. It starts but then dies immediately.

2) When I turn the key again, the engine turns over really fast, but it doesn't sound like it's firing at all.

3) If I turn the key again, but hold the pedal down, it chugs away for a few seconds, then finally starts. Sounds like its flooded maybe?

I've also noticed that when I first start it, and its dieing right away, if I give it some gas, it will rev up and run as long as I'm pushing in the pedal. As soon as I let off the gas, even if I've had it run for a few seconds, it dies.

If I'm at step 2 and I only let it turn over for a fraction of a second then stop, it usually starts right up on the next try. Or if I push the gas pedal a bit, it might start right away.

This is what I've been seeing. I took it into the dealer where I bought it and let them have it for two days, but it started fine for them every time they tried, so they didn't do anything.

I also only see this behaviour if the car has been sitting for at least a few hours.

I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My car's been doing this for about a month, and the temperatures has been starting to get colder. I've had my car do this from +5 C down to -10 C or so.

It also started doing this like once or twice a week for the first couple weeks, and now it is pretty much every other day. Sometime two or three times a day.

Since I've noticed that when I see it is going to die, and I give it a shot of gas, that keeps it going, but then it dies as soon as I let off, I'm thinking maybe something in the electronics??

I have no idea what is going on, the tech. at the dealer is apperently clueless, and this is driving me crazy.

Anybody have any clues? I'm going to take it back to the dealer next week, so any suggestions about what is going on would be great!

(Car has 8200 km and the only mod is a K&N)

Thanks,
Durrman
 

bowens99GT

Founding Member
Aug 27, 2002
655
0
0
On some dirt road in Arkansas
Dec 11, 2003
#2
  • Dec 11, 2003
  • #2
Happened to mine a few times. I think just really cold but by the second time it always started with a little throttle.
 
D

Durrman

New Member
Nov 1, 2003
14
0
0
Ottawa, Canada
Dec 11, 2003
#3
  • Dec 11, 2003
  • #3
bowens99GT said:
Happened to mine a few times. I think just really cold but by the second time it always started with a little throttle.
Click to expand...

Did it go away after a while? Mine has been getting more frequent, so I'm wondering if something is getting worse?

Thanks!
 

'96&'01Stang

New Member
Feb 10, 2003
798
0
0
Georgia
Dec 12, 2003
#4
  • Dec 12, 2003
  • #4
A friend of mines explorer was doing the same thing. It kept getting worse though and eventually it would die at redlights. I think they said it was a timing sensor
 

'96&'01Stang

New Member
Feb 10, 2003
798
0
0
Georgia
Dec 12, 2003
#5
  • Dec 12, 2003
  • #5
Then again it might just be the cold
 
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