WTH is wrong with my car :) [Hard Starting]

[Kainnen]

A few months ago i started getting a delay on my car starting, if i turned the key it would take 3 or 4 seconds for the engine to actually start to crank and it would sound weak like if the battery was low on power but it was new and holding a good charge. Few weeks later this was followed by my car having trouble starting, the ECU or MPI relay in that gernal area a clicking would start and the car RPMs would start dropping and the car would die, i would have to keep giving it a shot of gas and try a few times till the clicking stopped and the car would usually be good for the rest of the day. This kept up for over a month till the cold weather started and i figured it would get worst but it actually went away. I had no trouble starting but my mileage seemed to have gotten worst, but shortly after that i started having problems where my car would seem to stutter when accelerating sometimes most noticable like 3rd gear on a hill but it would randomly happen in all gears but never happened while just cruising. Today i was on my way to work when my car just died for no reason. I started it back up but could only get a few feet, the ECU area started with the clicking again, CEL came on and the car started backfiring and would only get a few feet before dying so i had to get a tow. Most information seems to point to my ECU being the problem but there is no visual leaking or smell from it. So my question is can anything else cause these symptons?

My hours are cut back at work and im strapped for cash right now so i would like to get some good starting points so i can spend as little as possible. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[91gsxboosted]

when you checked the ecu did you take it apart? Did you check the 3 black caps? Ususally when you hear that clicking noise the ecu is totally shot. If you dont see anything, find someone around with the same model and year dsm and borrow their computer for a couple minutes if your strapped on cash. There has to be someone in your area.

 

[dsmsucks]

when you checked the ecu did you take it apart? Did you check the 3 black caps? Ususally when you hear that clicking noise the ecu is totally shot. If you dont see anything, find someone around with the same model and year dsm and borrow their computer for a couple minutes if your strapped on cash. There has to be someone in your area.

Yeah the clicking means its goin. Also did you happen to smell fish when you were checking the ecu out

 

[Kainnen]

Yep took it right ouf the casing and checked. I cant see any leaking and theres no smell. Could the coil pack cause problems like this? Also when the car dies, if its the ECU should the dash lights be going out as well when it dies?

 

[Opus69]

It may be that your alternator and battery are fine but your connections are loose somewhere.

Thoroughly clean your battery terminals and all of the chassis grounds and make sure that they are clean and making good contact...

If that doesn't work drop by Autozone or your parts place preference and have them test the alternator and battery to make absolutely sure that they aren't the cause..

If those are ok and your connections are clean then I would suspect your ECU is going bad but not showing any obvious symptoms.

Good luck on diagnosing the problem... Electrical issues can be a PITA

 

[Kainnen]

Just went out and tried the car for the hell of it, it started first try but is idling at 1000 on a cold start it usually starts off at about 1500 till its warmed up. I didnt drive cause i dont feel like paying for another tow I think i read something bout the ISC or something like that being hooked directly to the ECU, if this was failing could it cause the reboot loop the ECU experiences sometimes?