Just joined the site, looking around to get some suggestions on what could be the cause of my car having issues starting up. First of all the car has rough starts when the temp drops. I´ve been reading that could be cause by a dist cap or rotor (will be replacing this weekend). But the main issue is that at times when turn the key to the on position, fuel pump kicks in, hear the click in the dash but afterwards no crank, and if it does crank it seems to lag. Then fires up but get a terrible sound from the starter like when you try to start a car that is already on....Any suggestions as to what this could be? I´m a do it yourself guy and really want to know where to check or what to replace in order to get it running the way it was before.

 

I would pull my starter out real quick and bring it to an auto parts store and have them check it. They will be able to tell you if any portion of your starter / solenoid is faulty. Quick, easy, and it will help truble shoot the problem area.

 

Thanks! Will do, do you think it could be cause by a cable being loose or damaged? The reason I ask is because sometimes it starts up just fine with no hassles and it can be like that for several days, then suddenly it goes back to the same thing with the lags and the sounds...

 

Take the starter as well as the battery to the auto parts store to have it checked. A lot of times the battery is overlooked. If it is over 3 years old, it likely can hold a charge and appear to be working correctly (powering your electronics just fine) but not have enough CCA (cold cranking amps) to provide enough current to the starter, making the starter seem weak. I was battling this problem for over a year. I thought that since my battery worked, it was perfectly fine even though it is 5 years old. I finally took it out and brought it to the auto parts store to check the CCA on it. The chemicals stratify after years and can only provide the full current some times.

 

I dont think its the battery, since it was just replaced about 6 months ago...leaning more towards something being wrong with the starter or a bad cable, specially since sometimes when it does nothing at all, I have moved some of the wiring and it starts up.....this kind of worries me though, hopefully I can get it fixed this weekend.

 

if the starter sounds weak then its most likely the starter. for my 98 ek it was the ignition tumbler (the key tumbler)

if its the starter then it probably has all the dust from the brushes in there gettin rubbed when you start. you can hit the starter (the solid base) to knock some of the dust loose. but you will be changing that starter soon anyway. so change it

 

Finally, got it fixed! Pulled the starter took it to a mechanic to get it tested and turned out the solenoid was bad...got it replaced, put it back in and bingo! Now she starts right up, no more lagging or awful sounds. Thanks to all for the advice!

 

i too have this problem with my 98...only have rough starts when the temp drops...i will def pull my starter and investigate...thanks for posting your problem and resolution.

 

starter fine battery fine car will not start with key but is manual and can jump start and runs fine

 

check your grounds first....

 

Well, as mentioned before the starter issue was fixed but still having the issues with the cold start ups. When temp drops seem to have issues with the start up, have to turn the key about 5 to 6 times before it finally catches and doesnt die out. On these first 5 attempts it starts up then dies out after a shaky finish. Also noticed that have a huge drop in MPGs.... Any suggestions?

Have CEL on & Codes Read:

IAT Sensor
IAC
TPS Sensor

Whichi one of these is most likely the root cause of the issue?? Want to try to and replace the most likely one to cause this first, then I´ll go ahead and replace the others.

 

The more common issue for hard starts it's the ECT.

when you get the engine to start let it reach operating temperature shut off the engine disconnect the ECT plug and ohm measure the two pins in the sensor there should be 200-400 ohms.

 

I´ll try it tonight when I get home and see what reading I get.