hard start

[wraoffroad]

First my radiator fan wasn't kicking on like it is supposed to. So i checked the fan and the relays. they were fine so i figured it was the temperature switch. So i replace it and now the car is really hard on a cold start. Its rough enough that I sometimes when i try I have to unplug the switch i just installed and it will start right up. However, then all of the fans kick on full blast. What the crap kind of problem is this. I'm not even sure where to look for whatever is causing this. The idle is a little rough while cold so maybe its the throttle body? or the little o ring behind the ISS. Gimme some ideas please i will try what i can. Thanks in advance.

 

[gofer]

First my radiator fan wasn't kicking on like it is supposed to. So i checked the fan and the relays. they were fine so i figured it was the temperature switch. So i replace it and now the car is really hard on a cold start. Its rough enough that I sometimes when i try I have to unplug the switch i just installed and it will start right up. However, then all of the fans kick on full blast. What the crap kind of problem is this. I'm not even sure where to look for whatever is causing this. The idle is a little rough while cold so maybe its the throttle body? or the little o ring behind the ISS. Gimme some ideas please i will try what i can. Thanks in advance.

It is possible you got a bad coolant temperature sensor, that would be the first thing I'd try to eliminate from the equation. I don't know where you got it but the Duralast coolant temperature sensor from AutoZone has a 2yr warranty. I'd just take it back and tell them its bad and you want another one...



*EDIT* sensor is what i meant... Thanks Andrew for pointing that out.

 

[nightracer91]

It might be the engine coolant temp sensor, which "switch" did you replace? the one on the thermostat housing?

 

[wraoffroad]

yes the switch i replaced was the engine coolant temperature sensor. I got it from advance with a one year warranty. I will check with them in the morning, for now i am trying some different stuff. cause the old sensor that was bad didn't cause it to do this. So I am gonna keep exploring to see what else could be it. cause maybe it wasn't the sensor. maybe it was something connected to it.

ok i just went and just for shits and giggles plugged in the old temp sensor that i replaced. car starts fine so i guess its a bad new sensor. I find that a little odd but okay. However my car could overheat and my radiator fan still wont turn on what is that about.

 

[gofer]

Each sensor will fail differently, thats why the one won't turn on the fans at all and the other will give you hard start/fans FULL blast. One never tells the ECU how hot the cars getting and the other tells the ECU its constantly overheating.
Go get yourself a new coolant temp sensor and plug it in... Parts from auto stores like that can't be trusted, thats why you should make sure to keep the receipt/warranty info.