[ektyperhatch]

So every now and then my car will struggle to start. It will always start but sometimes I have to crank it for a long time for it to turn over. I know it get's fuel because after cranking for so long I can smell the fuel. I was thinking I needed new coil packs? Any help is great. I just want to be able to start it easily every time. What do you guys think it could be?

 

[bubblebrain]

whens the last time you did a tune up?

 

[Garrett46]

make sure you have all the grounds that you need.......

 

[ektyperhatch]

My grounds are all good, i tested them with a multimeter. I changed the plugs about 20k ago. Anything else I should have done for a tune up?

 

[drhonda]

do you let the fuel pump prime before you crank it over?

 

[ektyperhatch]

Yea I prime it before I start. Do I need to add another ground somewhere?

 

[drhonda]

Yea I prime it before I start. Do I need to add another ground somewhere?

It wouldn't hurt, whats your fuel pressure set at?

 

[ektyperhatch]

Fuel pressure is at 50psi. I'll Try and add another ground in a couple days. It's weird because its intermittent and only happens time to time.

 

[drhonda]

Fuel pressure is at 50psi. I'll Try and add another ground in a couple days. It's weird because its intermittent and only happens time to time.

bump that up to about 55 see if it changes.

 

[ektyperhatch]

I'll try that, and see what happens. any other ideas?

 

[sujinX]

battery connections? weak battery?

 

[professor honda]

sounds like an intermittent problem with your crank position sensor...first make sure the connection is good with no dirt or corrosion inside the connector. I would then take a digital multi meter and make sure you have 5vdc when you have the key on postion 2. I would have to look up the other test procedures. What happens is when there is no feedback from this sensor the engine keeps cranking and goes into limp mode and the reason I think it takes so long is because it then looks to the cam position sensor to find tdc...pretty sure thats how it works but not 110% on that. Let me know if that works out for you.

 

[ektyperhatch]

battery is only a couple months old. Where is the crank position sensor? ill check to see if it has 5v. if it doesn't is the sensor bad?

 

[ektyperhatch]

found the sensor its just a tight spot to get to, ill do it 2moro.

 

[bubblebrain]

does this happen when it's cold outside at all? does it get pretty cold out there?

 

[thomatt12]

Or might be a problem with the engine's valve clearance or timing...

__________________
performance parts

 

[ektyperhatch]

It happens cold or hot. I still have to check out the Crankshaft sensor, ive been busy. The motor was never taken apart and the timing is good. I guess a valve clearance check wouldnt hurt or just a valve job.

 

[dash0n]

wire from the battery to starter solid? or has it been crimped bad connection?

 

[bubblebrain]

wire from the battery to starter solid? or has it been crimped bad connection?

that's something you should definately do. do a voltage drop test on that wire. you'll probably need a friend to help you crank the car. unplug a relay so that the engine doesn't start. place one lead on battery pos. and the other lead of the DVOM on the other end at the starter solenoid. crank the engine and look for any voltage drop. there shouldn't be anything at all.

 

[ektyperhatch]

that's something you should definately do. do a voltage drop test on that wire. you'll probably need a friend to help you crank the car. unplug a relay so that the engine doesn't start. place one lead on battery pos. and the other lead of the DVOM on the other end at the starter solenoid. crank the engine and look for any voltage drop. there shouldn't be anything at all.

That's something I'll test. What setting do I put it on?