starting problem

[black_red_rs-t]

my car wont start with the key but it sounds like its just not turning over fast enough to start. it runs fine if i bump start it though. i have a turbo 4g67 with 9.0:1 compression. i was wondering if there was a high torque starter for these cars or something. i've never been able to find one.

 

[yokotabrat]

I'd start with some simple stuff before you try swapping out starters. How old is your battery? Have you had it load tested to verify it's in proper working condition? What's the voltage across the battery terminals when the car is off? What's the voltage across the battery terminals when the car is running? Are the cables or connections corroded? Is the ground strap securely attached to the chassis of the car? Have you had your alternator tested? Could be a bad regulator or diode in the alternator.

Hope this helps.

 

[black_red_rs-t]

the battery and alternator are brand new. i just load tested the battery yesterday at work. (i work at autozone btw) i have brand new terminals and the cables look like they're in pretty good shape. i havent checked the ground to check the connection to the chassis yet. but i just took back my autozone starter last night and got one from advance auto since it was half the price and it appears to look like its built a little better. it does turn the motor over faster and its alot closer to starting so maybe i just have to wait for the rings to seat or something. i only have 18 miles on the motor since i just rebuilt it sunday. it almost seems like theres not enough compression or not "enough" spark as weird as it sounds since the engine does fire but not enough to start. sorry the post is so long....

 

[yokotabrat]

If you have a problem with the car not starting after the first couple of cranks, you could have a fuel problem. Have you done anything recently to the fuel pump or regulator? If the system is not holding pressure after the car is shut off, it'll take a few more cranks to build the fuel pressure back up and start the car.

 

[bostonhatcher]

If you're car isn't holding fuel pressure, then turn your key to on for 5-6 seconds then start it. I have to do this on my daily driver accord every time I start it.


If that doesn't change anything then you're starter motor is going out.

 

[yokotabrat]

If you're car isn't holding fuel pressure, then turn your key to on for 5-6 seconds then start it. I have to do this on my daily driver accord every time I start it.

Unfortunately that won't work on a DSM. The fuel pump is not activated until the key is in the "start" position. The "on" position doesn't activate the fuel pump section of the mpi relay until the ecu has detected that the car has already started.

 

[black_red_rs-t]

i havent done anything with the fuel except change the fuel rail w/ regulator from my 91 turbo eclipse but i had this same problem with the other fuel rail and regulator. so is it possible that i just have to keep trying to turn it over and maybe it will eventually start if its a fuel pressure problem?

 

[yokotabrat]

The only way to really know whether you have a fuel pressure problem is to measure the fuel pressure. You can drill and tap the stock banjo bolt attached to the top of the fuel filter for an easy place to plumb in a gauge to verify pressure.

Do you have any check engine lights?

Have you seen this thread: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217951
There are some good suggestions in there also.

 

[Talonracn50]

Just a word of caution on repeatedly bump starting the car -- you can make it jump time by starting it that way.

If it is turning over slowly and you have a new battery and good cables, then that leads me to the starter being worn out.

 

[black_red_rs-t]

yea...i know. i've been keeping a close eye on the timing. anyway, i got a second opinion from the most mechanically inclined person at work and he says it just sounds like its just not turning over fast enough. and you can really smell the fuel strong. and the starter isnt even 3 days old. this is about the 3rd or 4th starter i've tried on this car and its always a similar outcome. could it maybe be bad lifters or somethin. it almost seems like the valve arent opening enough when its trying to start. im just looking at different possibilities because right now anything that might wor is something i'm willing to try. thanks for everyone's advice and input btw.

 

[yokotabrat]

You could maybe try a jump start type battery in parallel with your stock battery. This could provide some extra power to get the car turned over faster.

Have you checked your plugs to make sure they aren't fouled from all this attempted starting? If you continually try to start a car or run a car and don't let things heat up before shutting it off, the plugs don't have a chance to get hot enough to clean off. Maybe try a fresh set of plugs or clean your plugs with some fine grit sandpaper.

Also, just to be sure, has the car actually run for a period of time successfully when it was bump started?

 

[black_red_rs-t]

yea it has. i've been trying to put miles on it to break it in. the longest i think i've ran it was about an hour. 20 minutes of city driving 10 minutes of idling both ways. it seems to run great once its running. its got about 60 miles on it so far.