Hi, looking for any possible help with this problem I've had for a while now... just want to know what kind of things are possible and what I should check. It's a VE 5 Spd.

Sometimes my car takes a few tries to start. Usually somewhere from 1-6 or so tries - but on a total of two occasions in the few months ive had this problem, it wouldnt start no matter how many times I tried. Both those times I let it rest for about 30 minutes, and then it worked instantly.

I honestly can't erally link the problem to anything... it often has more problems after its been shut off after driving for a while, but then many times it has problems starting in the morning too. And then other times theres no problem at all.

When it fails to start, what it does is it makes the VERY start of the sound youd usually hear when starting the engine. its very short. like a PFFT. and then if i hold thje key, nothing after taht until I retry. Then eventually it will (usually) just catch

It seems to drive as fine as it always has, and doesnt stall or anything.

Oh, and first time I had this problem was right after I was doing some tests. I had removed and replaced some of the ignition coils on my VE. I was trying to find out which of my cylinders was misfiring, and after finding out, I was switching coils around to see if the coil was the problem (it wasnt). After I did that, my car wouldnt start right away. I'm guessing that was a coincidence though?

 

engine flooding??? leaky injector? maybe....

 

...I was bout to say that. But then there are NO co incidences:
"After I did that, -..- a coincidence though?"

Harness/connector problems? Camshaft pos sensor acting, wiring loose?

Check out: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/14

 

check the starter to make sure it's always recieving the signal to start.
if not then you have to search out where it's loosing the signal.
if it is then you need a starter

 

Thanks for replies, my friend after hearing it says its definitely starter or starter-signal/wiring related since it doesnt turn over. That sucks, cause I just had the starter replaced about 4-5 months ago- a rebuilt one though.

If it turns out I need a new starter, are rebuilt ones often unreliable and should I go new (those are expesnive right?) or did I just get unlucky? And how hard is it to do? Just basic tools? To be honest I don't even know where the starter's located yet, I'll have to look it up. All I've changed myself before is easy stuff like Oxygen sensor, MAF Sensor, tune-up stuff, etc.

 

I had a 92 gxe auto do the same thing to me years ago. I would have to bump the car about 3 -6 times to make it start. I bought a autozone starter worked fine then 3 mos later dead. I then bought a Nissan starter worked fine and then did the same thing. It turned out to be my flywheel. Would only catch in certain spots. Once again this is an auto sohc but I had the same problem. I also replaced starter signal wire too which didn't change anything. But after changing flywheel and starter I was good to go.

 

Easy DIY, FIRST batt cable off. See LINks to get inFO at
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/5

 

Five Speed, right? Who needs a starter? In my younger years I had a 1970 MGB. It had two six volt batteries in series and those babies were expensive. There was about a two month period when I was a college student that I always parked it on a hill or had a friend who could push.

 

Check the fuel pump. I had the same starting issues with mine a while back until I found out that I had a ball bearing inside the fuel pump that was failing to move in and out to allow fuel into the engine. Since it was so erratic, sometimes my engine would either be flooded with gas cuz the bearing never went back into position when the car was shut off, or the engine would be choked from gas cuz the bearing wouldn't move.

Have that checked since that was the issue with mine and I had those starting issues that went away when I changed the pump.

 

Phil could be right about the fuel pump (there are always LOTS of possibilities), but it sounds like a starter issue. Double check the connections, maybe even disconnect and reconnect everything. Also, if it is still under warranty, take it back and try another rebuilt one in and see if that is the problem.

If you think it could be something else, it wouldn't hurt to check your engine codes on the ECU and see if anything pops up.

 

What's that thing that's all blurred out?

 

...mess +10char

 

I'm assuming you checked that the batt is good?

 

Does it crank at all when not starting or does it make a clicking noise? I just went through a problem with mine where sometimes it would start up fine and then other times not at all. At first I thought it was the clutch sensor switch thing so I hard wired that together but it still happened. Finally it got to the point to where it wouldn't start at all. I was able to get it running by roll starting it but when I turned the head lights on it almost died. I ended up driving home at 10pm in the pouring rain w/ no headlights. Turns out it was the alternator. It was charging just enough to keep the battery barely charged until finally it just quit charging. Good luck

 

You seem to have a big ground wire hooked up to it.

 

Yes the mess is the end of my "future datacable" end drilled through firewall... only one pair used for foglight sw/bulb. The thickie is for the headlight gnd. Another one wire is lying around for small 12V electric heater in case of stranded -40 degrees w/o AC outlet near. (...and still havent bought that block heater). But I have so far never used heaters: Max is a perfect starter even in -25C!

Why blurred: ashamed of mess, and its also a distraction for the issue.

This is another view (wires 'cleaned' out from view) of boosted street legal bright lamp supply...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/11

 

Helpful site Wiking.

yep, I'm sure the battery is good and that's about all I'm sure of.

Hmm this gets me thinking. Since I already got a "new" starter twice now. Althoguh the noise this time is different. When I first had starter replaced, it made a grinding noise when holding key, and if i held it down it would eventually start usually. Then when I had starter replaced and it went bad again, it did same noise. Now its a little different. Thanks for the idea.

Well, the noise it makes is sort of a "clickish noise", and i dont think its cranking at all. but its definitely not the clicking yuo hear clearly that comes from the fusebox when your batteries completely dead or you dont have foot on clutch. This noise definitely comes from the engine compartment, it could be coming from the starter not sure. It's just a short little noise, but clearly different from the relay or fuse click or whatever.

 

Fly Wheel: rotate engine from front end - starter noise will change if flywheel has bad spot. Or take starter off for a peek... (if I understand right, engine does not currently turn at all.)