Starting Problem, hoping it was a fluke
#1
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Starting Problem, hoping it was a fluke
This morning I started my car and let it idle a couple minutes before bring my son out to the car. I forgot something this morning, so I shut it off so I could unlock the door. It had been only idling for maybe 2-3 minutes. When I came back out the car wouldn't start at first. I tried 3-4 times to start it normally and no go. So then I did it again, but gave it gas as it cranked and it started. After that it ran completely fine. I dropped off my son after a ten minute drive and it started up fine, and it ran fine the entire half hour trip to work. Any ideas?
#2
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Location: Fitchburg Ma _ToastedRice_
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what did the car do when it wasnt starting?
did it:
No change, no lights, nothing?
No Click No crank?
Click, No crank?
Crank, no start?
Crank, Fire/Cough?
Crank, Start, then Die?
also, have you had ANY other drivability issues, SES light, etc in the recent past?
did it:
No change, no lights, nothing?
No Click No crank?
Click, No crank?
Crank, no start?
Crank, Fire/Cough?
Crank, Start, then Die?
also, have you had ANY other drivability issues, SES light, etc in the recent past?
#3
Because you gave it gas and it started that is where I would look first. It could be a number of things, but start with the simplest first- check your gas cap. Check for any stored DTC info.
When I had problems with my evap system, the car would not start after a fill-up without giving it gas and then it felt like it was going to stall for a while until it got going. However, it ONLY happened after I filled the tank. Guess that doesn't mean it couldn't happen other times.
The other simple thing to do, if you don't already, is to run fuel system cleaner through the tank.
It'* cold- maybe you just got water in the line.
If it happens again, I would look more closely at the fuel system components. I am sure there are others on this board who will know more but I hope this helps.
When I had problems with my evap system, the car would not start after a fill-up without giving it gas and then it felt like it was going to stall for a while until it got going. However, it ONLY happened after I filled the tank. Guess that doesn't mean it couldn't happen other times.
The other simple thing to do, if you don't already, is to run fuel system cleaner through the tank.
It'* cold- maybe you just got water in the line.
If it happens again, I would look more closely at the fuel system components. I am sure there are others on this board who will know more but I hope this helps.
#4
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It cranked fine, just wouldn't fire. When it started, there was nothing wrong, no stumbling or anything. And I haven't had any problems with the way it runs before.
Funny you mention the gas thing, I did get gas on the way home last night. My house is less than two miles from the gas station. I parked it outside for a couple hours, then started it to pull it in the garage last night. Then this morning was the first time I started it since.
And it has been freezing for several weeks, but finally got above freezing yesterday, so I was actually wondering if there could have been some condensation somewhere that didn't get cleared out since it only idled for a short time.
Funny you mention the gas thing, I did get gas on the way home last night. My house is less than two miles from the gas station. I parked it outside for a couple hours, then started it to pull it in the garage last night. Then this morning was the first time I started it since.
And it has been freezing for several weeks, but finally got above freezing yesterday, so I was actually wondering if there could have been some condensation somewhere that didn't get cleared out since it only idled for a short time.
#5
Hmmm....well, for me it would kind of stutter and not start whenever I got gas. I shut off the car, pump the gas, get in, and chug, chug, chug. I try again and pump the gas pedal and it fired up but rough. I am assuming you started your car right after you got gas to get it home, but it may act differently depending on the situations (I also drive a lot so my tank gets down pretty low pretty quickly- fill ups are usually about 15.5-17 gallons.)
The other thing I would check is the gas cap. Take it off, and reseat it. I am sure you have seen all the problems people have on this board with such a simple thing....good luck.
The other thing I would check is the gas cap. Take it off, and reseat it. I am sure you have seen all the problems people have on this board with such a simple thing....good luck.
#6
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Something almost identical happened to our Caravan this weekend. I had kept it at a neighbor'* Saturday night to provide more parking at our house for guests we were having. Sunday, I drove it a block to our house and parked it. A few hours later, it wouldn't start for anthing, even when I held my foot to the floor to clear out the fuel since I was guessing it was flooded.
Yesterday, I tried it and it started right up although from the smoke, you could tell it had indeed been flooded. My theory was that, since the computer runs a very rich mixture when the engine is cold, it flooded when I only drove it the short block. It shouldn't have done it but since the van has nearly 100,000 miles on it, I figured it was a combination of things that caused the problem and so I forgave it.
Yesterday, I tried it and it started right up although from the smoke, you could tell it had indeed been flooded. My theory was that, since the computer runs a very rich mixture when the engine is cold, it flooded when I only drove it the short block. It shouldn't have done it but since the van has nearly 100,000 miles on it, I figured it was a combination of things that caused the problem and so I forgave it.
#7
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That'* the EXACT symptoms I had a few weeks ago... I had ran it for about 3 minutes, turned it off, and didn't want to start. When I gave it gas it fired right up. Then later when it was hot, it started no sweat. Also, once it was started, it ran like nothing was wrong...
Mine turned out to be the infamous LIM gaskets failing... Your coolant level is fine, right?
here'* the thread I had going:
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=71314
Mine turned out to be the infamous LIM gaskets failing... Your coolant level is fine, right?
here'* the thread I had going:
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=71314
#8
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Started and ran fine on the way home as well. The coolant was the first thing I checked when it wouldn't start, but it was also right where it has been.
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