Starting issues

[TC Mueller]

My car was sitting for about 4 months without a start and had a bad battery, so I changed that 2 days ago. But my problem now is, when its cold the car refuses to turn over. it cranks and then every once in a while it'll sound like its going to turn over for a second, but doesnt and just goes back to cranking. I know have the correct things to make the car run because it started in a warm garage 2 days ago when i pulled it out after the battery. I also checked the coolent temp sensor and connections were fine. If it helps at all, when the car did start, it would idle extremely bad and most of the time die. Untill it warmed up then everything was fine. The idle was extrmely low, like below 500 low and the entire car was sort of vibrating, more thatn it already does any help at all would be wonderful. Thanks guys.

 

[94talonwip]

your post isn't very clear but I assume that you mean that your car will crank (turn over) but will not run? And you have this issue when its cold? If that is the case I would definetly check the cool temp sensor. My bros car was having that same issue and I found out that because the ghetto air intake was resting on the sensor, it broke the terminals off of the sensor. If it's a cold start issue I would also assume that its more than likely in the fuel system, or a sensor (cool temp sensor mentioned above). Try adjusting your gas pedal slowly up and down as your cars cranking, if your cars running too rich at startup the extra air from moving the pedal to the floor (opening the tb) will lean out the mix and the car should start. If you have no luck with that I would replace the fuel filter ($5-$10). Check the fuel pressure (I've never had to do this on my car, I've never noticed a pressure port so I assume theres another way of checking pressure). Good Luck man!

 

[TC Mueller]

Making sure im looking at the right sensor you are, cool temp sensor is located right below the radiator cap, correct? It has the 2 wires going into it. If thats the sensor then connections are good. If im just dumb and looking at the wrong sensor point me in the right direction. Also, is there anyway to test to see if you need a new fuel filter before I go out and buy one? And I can just check fuel pressure by the FPR on the fuel rail, correct?

 

[luv2rallye]

Measure the resistance of that 2 wire engine temp sensor. Should be around 2450 ohms (+/- 240) at 68F and 296 ohms (+/- 32) at 176F. You can also check it's operation by remove it and put in hot/cold water to see if resistance drops/rises.

 

[TC Mueller]

Alright just gotta get my hands on a multi meter and i will check that out. So resistance should drop with hot water and rise with cold water?

 

[luv2rallye]

Yep and if it doesn't it needs replacing. If your really picky you can put it in a pan of water on the stove with a thermometer and then heat and cool it to the values I listed and check the resistance.

 

[oldman]

Maybe bad gas?

 

[TC Mueller]

Oldman, bad gas would make sense, the cars been sitting with a half tank for over 3 months. Could that be culprate?

 

[oldman]

3 months, I doubt it but if everything else checks out, wouldn't hurt to drain the tank.