Trouble starting

[HaoleBoysClipse]

I'm having a little trouble. Most of the time my car will start right up and everything is fine. But every once and a while, I go to start it and it wont start. The car will turn over but it will shut off. I can tell that it is trying to spark fuel or whatever but it then stops. I know I need to change my spark plugs and wires, and also I found yesterday that I had some oil in the spark plug well when I took out the wire, so I need to change the valve and sparkplug gaskets. Does anybody have an idea of what it could be? A friend that had a Honda said that he had almost the exact same problem and it was a relay. Anyone know what he is talking about? I really appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

[larsenracing]

I would change the plugs and wires like you mentioned also change the fuel filter. Check the battery terminals for tightness and make sure they are clean.

 

[mcruzer82]

This may not be your problem but I just want to post if anyone else was having the same problem I had. My car would sometime turn over and die right away unless I held the gas pedal down. I changed all the tune up parts, plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc., and it was still happening on and off. Than one day I noticed the negative terminal on the battery was a little loose (i was able to rotate it on the post) after cleaning off the terminals and re-tightening everything it hasn't happend since. Hope this helps someone...

 

[Splitpi]

Also check your TPS.

 

[HaoleBoysClipse]

I'm trying not to sound too much like a newbie, but where is the TPS and what would I look for?

 

[vaboys2ndgen]

how did you all go about cleaning the battery terminals? i've heard like soda... or is that not right?


*updated* ok nevermine yea pepsi or coke ... i cleaned mine still havent a damn issue though.


AT temp, battery, brake lights on dash are stayin on but the car is running fine for the most part. boost creep like a crazy but thats another issue.


anyway to test how many volts are going through the alternator. shouldnt it be 14? starting to get annoying, cause the car runs fine, belts are squelling and are spinning like normal. but those lights

 

[Splitpi]

TPS = Throttle Position Sensor

I used to have a mustang that would have a similiar problem. It turned out it was my TPS. It was a pain to track down because it only seemed to fail on cold days and then once I warmed the engine up by manually controlling throttle while starting it would work fine till it was very cold again.

To test the voltage, technically to be a stickler current flows through a battery , you want ~13.4 to 14 volts. Basically a volt or so higher than 12.

But I don't think the TPS is causing it ... and I am at a loss as to what could be causing your problem. Sorry.