For the past few days when I start my car I have to turn the ignition to start, let it crank over a few times, then release the key, and crank it over again for it to start. It will start the first try but it takes way too long, like 10 seconds or so. I'm wondering what could be causing this, I'm thinking a fuel related problem. I've been having a miss at start up and when I'm coasting the RPMs jump about 200. I don't know if these things could be related or not, but it seems possible. I've tried it with the A/C on and off, and the weather hasn't changed at all.

 

davis4005--

My first guess would be that it is timing-related.

What's the condition of your distributor and rotor electrodes (I'm assuming the '91's have a cap & rotor)? When was the last time you check/cleaned/re-gapped your spark plugs? Does the car seem to be worse in humid weather?

--SAM

 

I haven't changed the cap and it probably should be done, the rotor only has about 5,000 miles on it. I changed the spark plugs about 10,000 miles ago with the proper gap but they have been ran through one of those spark plug cleaners and I heard you're supposed to change them once they've been cleaned. Now that I think about it the humidity probably does have an effect on this, I live in Colorado and it's been pretty humid lately and my car's used to the dry weather.

 

Could also be old plug wires. I think the '91 has plug wires and not separate ignitors? When its humid open the hood in a dark place and have someone try and crank it over. If you see a little blue light show in the engine compartment, then you need to replace the plug wires. There are cracks in the insulation letting the electrons leak out. Humidity would make this problem worse.\

'92 SE

 

letting the electrons leak out
i like that one

 

sounds like the fuel pump may be getting weak and is not holding fuel pressure. but then again i'm just a ford guy.