Alright, so a bit ago I changed my spark plugs in an attempt to fix some starting and running issues my car was having. Now the starting issues are back, but the running issues no longer exist.
What's happening is at least once every two days when I go to start my car, it doesn't want to turn over like normal. It sits... tries to start, but it won't. I lay off and try to start it again and when it does it turns over so slowly and my whole car rocks (less now with the motor mount). Finally it gets to a normal idle and it's fine.
I don't know what to do because we've checked the battery, replaced the purge solenoid (which was supposed to fix it), the starter and I've put fuel injector cleaner through my car.
Anyone have any ideas?
Starting Issues
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
Starting Issues
2004 Mazda3s Hatchback: Totalled
2002 Audi A4 Avant: Sold
2013 Subaru WRX 5-door: Stage 1
2002 Audi A4 Avant: Sold
2013 Subaru WRX 5-door: Stage 1
- chickenwafer
- Posts: 2515
- Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:14
- Location: Greeley
What running issues were you experiencing that you no longer are?
When you say it turns over slowly, and rocks your car, is the motor spinning very slowly, like the starter is struggling to get the motor spinning? Does it sound like it wants to start, but just can't catch?
Do you smell any fuel when it won't start?
Right off the bat, it's difficult for me to tell but I'm leaning to an electrical issue if anything.
When you say it turns over slowly, and rocks your car, is the motor spinning very slowly, like the starter is struggling to get the motor spinning? Does it sound like it wants to start, but just can't catch?
Do you smell any fuel when it won't start?
Right off the bat, it's difficult for me to tell but I'm leaning to an electrical issue if anything.
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
chickenwafer wrote:What running issues were you experiencing that you no longer are?
When you say it turns over slowly, and rocks your car, is the motor spinning very slowly, like the starter is struggling to get the motor spinning? Does it sound like it wants to start, but just can't catch?
Do you smell any fuel when it won't start?
Right off the bat, it's difficult for me to tell but I'm leaning to an electrical issue if anything.
The running issues were an uneven idle where it would be smooth and then shake the car, smooth then shake.
Turning over slowly relates to the motor spinning slowly and catching slowly. It definitely wants to start, it's just having an issue doing so. It's like the starter is working harder than it needs to to get the engine doing.
No fuel smell when it won't start.
2004 Mazda3s Hatchback: Totalled
2002 Audi A4 Avant: Sold
2013 Subaru WRX 5-door: Stage 1
2002 Audi A4 Avant: Sold
2013 Subaru WRX 5-door: Stage 1
- chickenwafer
- Posts: 2515
- Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:14
- Location: Greeley
Your complex valvetrain motors are too difficult to diagnose
I would vote there is still some kind of issue with the starter. I know you said you already replaced it, but it could be it's not getting full voltage. Did you replace the solenoid too? You can try running direct power from the battery to the starter to see if it will help kick it over easier. Otherwise it could be a start control related issue...
I would vote there is still some kind of issue with the starter. I know you said you already replaced it, but it could be it's not getting full voltage. Did you replace the solenoid too? You can try running direct power from the battery to the starter to see if it will help kick it over easier. Otherwise it could be a start control related issue...
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
chickenwafer wrote:Your complex valvetrain motors are too difficult to diagnose
I would vote there is still some kind of issue with the starter. I know you said you already replaced it, but it could be it's not getting full voltage. Did you replace the solenoid too? You can try running direct power from the battery to the starter to see if it will help kick it over easier. Otherwise it could be a start control related issue...
haha very difficult indeed.
+1 on starter or battery.
cranking slowly isnt normal when the battery is fully charged. also you can get a metal pipe or hammer and tap on the starter while someone cranks the engine. if it seems like the starter is starting to catch faster while tapping on the starter usually means a bad starter.
also check the voltages on the battery just in case.
edit: and yes the starter will start going out in an intermittent matter.
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
- Ryanmmacoustic
- Senior Member
- Posts: 122
- Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 9:14
- Location: Loveland
bellalyssa wrote:My car was throwing a CEL but changing the purge solenoid got rid of it.
I'll check the starter this weekend and see what's up, then I'll let you guys know.
you jinxed me
started my car this morning and it didnt want to turn over...let it sit for a minute or two...started up just fine
but when it did start up i heard a really loud thud lol...can't be good.
so this weekend im changing spark plugs because i need to. oil because i need to and maybe looking for some motor mounts
which ones did you end up buying?
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
Be prepared for extreme vibrations and tranny whine when you put the side mounts on, hehe. People will question if your car is broken when they ride in it.
2015 Ironman Silver Veloster Turbo - Bone stock and staying that way
1990 Crystal White Miata - Beater - Bignose 1.6L Swap, Robbins Top w/Glass Window, E-Codes, Air Horns, Brembo Rotors
Former Rides:
2011 Kona Blue Mustang GT 5.0
2009 True Red Mazdaspeed3 GT
2005 Flame Red SRT-4
1990 Crystal White Miata - Beater - Bignose 1.6L Swap, Robbins Top w/Glass Window, E-Codes, Air Horns, Brembo Rotors
Former Rides:
2011 Kona Blue Mustang GT 5.0
2009 True Red Mazdaspeed3 GT
2005 Flame Red SRT-4
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
-
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14
- Location: NoCo
Return to “Engine and Drivetrain”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests