Struggles to start, but then runs fine?

[awdclipse]

What causes this? When it struggles to start, it spits spudders and smokes and won't start. But other times it starts up perfectly fine like there are no problems and runs good. It's almost like the car doesn't know which loop the car should be in, cold or hot start? When it doesn't start it spits out black smoke and smells rich, but other times the cylinders are completely dry and seem to be lacking fuel.

I am wondering which sensors effect the start up process? I've checked the coolant temp. sensor and resistance is by the book. I'm pretty sure the wiring is good because when i disconnect it i get a CEL. Which other factors effect?

Ive suspected it to be a sensor/injector related issue because there is spark and clogged injectors/filter/fuel pump would effect the car throughout the entire driving range, right? not just during start up. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Have a logger? Checked the plugs? Know if your tps is set right? I had a bad tps once cause it got wet and my car didn't wanna run right. What plugs? Gap? Check engine light on at all?

 

[awdclipse]

Yes i have a logger, what should i look for? The plugs are good and gaped properly. No CEL and my tps has never been moved, but i'll check it out.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Well, does it give you any codes? What's your tps at? Is it reading 100% when you hit the gas to the floor? Where's it at when you let off? Should be around 10%. What does your fuel trims look like?

If the pump is trying to die, it could cause problems. They don't always just die. I've had a couple that just didn't wanna croke. You have a fuel pressure gauge? I have an electric fuel pressure gauge cause if I have problems that's fuel related, I wanna know it while I'm in the car.

 

[awdclipse]

I checked the fuel pressure with a gauge and its good. The car has now gotten to the point where it will not start at all. It seems the injectors are firing when they feel like it. Sometimes partially, other times fully (except not currently starting at all).

NOW my headlights and dash lights have gone out, but the warning lights on the dash will work just not dimmer etc...Alsoo my fuel gauge has stopped working? but the tach. does work. Wtf. All my fuses and fusible links are good I've checked them all multiple times. My injectors are not firing at all now. ECU "looks/smells" ok.

The only modification that has been done to the car since all this is a CD player. But with the new cd player it was running fine for about a month. I checked for loose grounds and such but everything looks good.

Someone suggested a bad IAC, but doesn't it control airflow and not the injectors?

I have no idea whats going on.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

I checked the fuel pressure with a gauge and its good. The car has now gotten to the point where it will not start at all. It seems the injectors are firing when they feel like it. Sometimes partially, other times fully (except not currently starting at all).

NOW my headlights and dash lights have gone out, but the warning lights on the dash will work just not dimmer etc...Alsoo my fuel gauge has stopped working? but the tach. does work. Wtf. All my fuses and fusible links are good I've checked them all multiple times. My injectors are not firing at all now. ECU "looks/smells" ok.

The only modification that has been done to the car since all this is a CD player. But with the new cd player it was running fine for about a month. I checked for loose grounds and such but everything looks good.

Someone suggested a bad IAC, but doesn't it control airflow and not the injectors?

I have no idea whats going on.

Tried swapping ecu's?

 

[awdclipse]

No i have not swapped ECU's yet for the reason that i believe i might have a short somewhere in the harness and i dont want to kill another ECU. I'm going to pull mine out and check it AGAIN.

If the ECU is good and the injectors are still not firing can i suspect the injector resistor box? what else could it be?

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Try putting your ecu in someone elses car instead and see how their car acts with it.