I recommended to someone on a previous thread about getting a tune up for their max when they had similar trouble starting their engine. Only now, after a long trip (about 900 miles), I'm once again having the same problem!

I turn the ignition key and the car will struggle to turn on. I need to do this three times before it finally turns on. Sometimes it helps to press the gas pedal.

I just had the fuel injectors cleaned, replaced the fuel filter and changed the spark plugs. Once I did that it started right up, only now that I took that long trip it has been giving me problems again.

Any help would be appreciated!!

 

Need a little more info then "struggles to turn on." Is the starter dragging or is winding freely and not starting up?

 

take ure back seats out... look and find the fuel pump... take it out. shake the hell out of it. look for the reset button, not sure where i was just told what to do. reset it. put it back in. bam. might fix it. might not, its a free and easy solution and its worth a shot. also could be a faulty fuel presure regulator or check the ecu codes. have u diagnosed the car witht the ECU.

 

could be the batt.
i had a problem just like that during the summer time.. some times it would start right up, and other times I would turn the key and nothing... and i would keep crankin it finaly the juice kicked in and it would start.. but during that time the radio would reset it self, clock too. i thought it was some crazy *** electical problem.. finaly got the batt. tested and it failed 3 times.. replaced the batt.. and it was all better.

 

What happens is that I'll turn the key and the engine will come on and not catch. I've turned the key and kept it turned for about 10 seconds and the whole time it will just keep trying to turn over, but won't.

I had the fuel pump replaced about 8 months ago - but will try and reset it and see what happens.

I thought it was the battery, but I also replaced it with a new Diehard 1 year ago. Also, the terminals are clean and nothing has reset (I've had just the battery on playing music with no problems).

I really think it's the spark plugs, but because they were changed less than 2 weeks ago - it seems improbable.

Thank you all for the input and please keep the suggestions coming!

 

Maybe your mass airflow sensor is failing. Engine cranks, seems like it will start and dies when you let go of the key fits this.

 

That's true, but does a failing MAF also have rough idling, stalling, cranking up and dying (among other things)? Once it cranks then the engine stays and I have no other driveability problems.

Also, would an Onboard diagnostic check show anything?

P.S. If I turn the key to the 'ON' position for about 5-10 seconds and then I crank it, then most of the time it will turn on without hesitation.

 

I went thru 3 autozone fuel pumps in a years time before i got a good one. So do not think that the fuel pump is not the problem.pm me for testing instructions.

 

Can anyone confirm that it CANT be the spark plugs?!?!?

 

Try cleaning your MAF sensor. That could be a possibility

 

*take the plugs out and check for fouling

*if you have a VG, hows the distributor cap and rotor?

*youve ruled out battery and starter?

*can you start the engine when pressing the gas pedal down fully?

 

ugh i have the same problem. I go to start it up, gets to about 200-300rpms, dies. Try to start again, cranks for about 10-15 seconds, with the help of some gas, it will start up then idle very roughly, even to the point of almost stalling. It does sometimes work if i do let the key sit in the on position for about 5 seconds then try to start it up.

also note that when i start it up there is a huge cloud of smoke after it finally turns over.

 

Weird thing - it's starting right up with no problems!

I haven't had the time to mess with the MAF sensor, check the distributor cap or the fuel pump - but it's working! Believe me I'll be checking them out this weekend just to be sure!

Thanks to all for your input! And a special thanks to -MyGreenMax94- for hooking me up with how to check my fuel pump!

 

Isn't the fuel pump in the tank ?????????????????????

 

You can access it by taking out the back seat. They were nice to us. This way you dont have to drop the tank just to get to the pump.

 

Ahhh!!

Could save some $$ someday to know this...