starting issues

[rcarson]

OKay, I did a search and didn't find any problems exactly like mine. I am having trouble with my car starting. My car is a 2G with a highly modded 1G in it, I also have an Optima Red Top, which I have tested and is reading good ( only mention this because I had on e go bad). I have also replaced the starter. When I first replaecd the battery the car was fine for about a week and a half and then the problem rose it's ugly head again. Next I changed the starter and everything was fine for about 2 and a half weeks, but it came back. THe fact that changinging these things works for a little while is what is confusing me. Also the Flywheel is less than 4,000 miles od so I don;t think it would be a missing tooth already. Also, I can normally sit there and continue to turn the key for a while and it will finally start, most of the time. NOt sure what else it could be fuses maybe, but that wouldn't explain why it works for a few weeks whenever I replace something. ANy help would be much appreciated. THanks, Ryan

 

[sk8erje16]

That sounds a lot like what just happened to my car. I would have to turn the key for about a minute before the car started. The positive connector wasnt getting a full charge and i would do something, accidentally move it and the charge would come back but i could never figure out what it was. Eventually i got told what it was and bought a new connector and now everything is fine.

 

[rcarson]

Yeah, it could be that, but my connector is damn near new and when I took a voltmeter to it i was getting a good charge from the alternator, but at this point anything is worth trying. I am thinking maybe something is draining the battery when the car is off. Does anybody have any ideas about this?

 

[ltvarney]

Could be parasiting draw, but if the car cranks over strong I'd rule that out. Sounds like a fuel delivery problem. Injectors probably wouldn't all foul at once so I wouldn't worry about them right away but it won't hurt to send them out to be cleaned and blueprinted. I'd check things like fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel pressure solenoid. I mention the FPS because mine went bad and was dumping fuel. If you don't have a strong fuel smell prior to the car wanting to start you could probably rule it out.

If you have a junkyard nearby you can get test parts to swap in pretty cheap. Otherwise you'll want to test the pump and solenoid according to the Haynes book. The fuel filter you'll want to inspect by eye.

For the fuel filter and pump you'll want a nice set of line wrenches so you don't strip the fittings.

 

[rcarson]

I doubt it is anything with the fuel system other than possily the filter, but I don;t have a strong fuel smell prior to start. My injectors and pump are 4000 miles old, so I don't see that as a problem. I checked my fuel pump via DSMLink and all is good. I really can't figure this thing ou. I am thinking a possible gremlin somewhere in my wiring, but have no idea how or where. I will check the filter next week, but would really appreciate other ideas.