New member with a puzzling engine problem
09-22-2002 | 07:49 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2
New member with a puzzling engine problem
I just found this forum last night and am amazed at the wealth of information contained here. I would like to tap into some of that info to help diagnose a problem with my recently acquired '96 GLE.
The car runs great and has plenty of power. It does have around 140,000 miles on it. However, when it has been running for a while, or if it is a real hot day, or parked in the garage warm and not allowed to cool down, it sometimes will not start. It may take three or four tries to start it, or we may have to wait 5 or 10 minutes, once we had to let it sit overnight. When it finally starts it idles really rough. Once we rev the engine up a few times it smooths out and runs fine.
The check engine light has never came on. It does not come on when the key is first turned on, is it supposed to? I checked the ECU beside the gas pedal following instructions found on this site, no codes were found, the light did not come on at all. I did it twice to make sure. Should a code come on to inform me that the system is activated? I was wondering if there was any chance my check engine light was burned out.
I would appreciate any help anyone can give to save me a trip to the dealer. I don't claim to be a crack mechanic but am fairly handy, and worked in auto parts for a few years so I have a fair idea about fuel injection, etc...
Thanks! Firemax
The car runs great and has plenty of power. It does have around 140,000 miles on it. However, when it has been running for a while, or if it is a real hot day, or parked in the garage warm and not allowed to cool down, it sometimes will not start. It may take three or four tries to start it, or we may have to wait 5 or 10 minutes, once we had to let it sit overnight. When it finally starts it idles really rough. Once we rev the engine up a few times it smooths out and runs fine.
The check engine light has never came on. It does not come on when the key is first turned on, is it supposed to? I checked the ECU beside the gas pedal following instructions found on this site, no codes were found, the light did not come on at all. I did it twice to make sure. Should a code come on to inform me that the system is activated? I was wondering if there was any chance my check engine light was burned out.
I would appreciate any help anyone can give to save me a trip to the dealer. I don't claim to be a crack mechanic but am fairly handy, and worked in auto parts for a few years so I have a fair idea about fuel injection, etc...
Thanks! Firemax
09-22-2002 | 08:25 PM
#2
Have you gotten a Tune Up Lately? Fuel Filter, Trans Fluid, Chaning Spark Plugs, all that good stuff? If not, Do so. It just might help the problem 
Oh, and if you do change the sparks. Get NGK Platinum Sparks. There the best
Later!
Oh, and if you do change the sparks. Get NGK Platinum Sparks. There the best
Later!
09-22-2002 | 08:27 PM
#3
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,424
From: Poughkeepsie, NY
Re: New member with a puzzling engine problem
Originally posted by firemax
It may take three or four tries to start it, or we may have to wait 5 or 10 minutes, once we had to let it sit overnight. When it finally starts it idles really rough. Once we rev the engine up a few times it smooths out and runs fine.
The check engine light has never came on. It does not come on when the key is first turned on, is it supposed to? I checked the ECU beside the gas pedal following instructions found on this site, no codes were found, the light did not come on at all. I did it twice to make sure. Should a code come on to inform me that the system is activated? I was wondering if there was any chance my check engine light was burned out.
It may take three or four tries to start it, or we may have to wait 5 or 10 minutes, once we had to let it sit overnight. When it finally starts it idles really rough. Once we rev the engine up a few times it smooths out and runs fine.
The check engine light has never came on. It does not come on when the key is first turned on, is it supposed to? I checked the ECU beside the gas pedal following instructions found on this site, no codes were found, the light did not come on at all. I did it twice to make sure. Should a code come on to inform me that the system is activated? I was wondering if there was any chance my check engine light was burned out.
On to business
What does it do when it fails to start? Does it turn over?As for the CEL, it's supposed to light when the key is turned to ON. It should then go off when the car is started. If you're CEL is broken, maybe there's all kinds of trouble waiting for you. Maybe the previous owner pulled the CEL bulb to hide any problems (I’ve been told I’m paranoid
) You'll need that CEL (or an expensive OBDII scanner) to do any diagnostics yourself. I'd check that bulb! The code 05 05 will indicate that the ECU detects no problems.-Sryth...
__________________________________________________ ____________________________
'98 SE 5spd, Pebble Beige, PRCAI, Stillen Y, Stillen FSTB, ACT clutch.
Pacesetter STS to be installed this week!
09-23-2002 | 05:32 AM
#4
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
Re: New member with a puzzling engine problem
Originally posted by firemax
The check engine light has never came on. It does not come on when the key is first turned on, is it supposed to?
The check engine light has never came on. It does not come on when the key is first turned on, is it supposed to?
Total cost for diagnostics.......... about 10 cents.
Finding this forum......... Priceless!
Welcome Firemax
09-23-2002 | 05:53 AM
#5
Re: New member with a puzzling engine problem
I have to agree with the previous posts. Sounds like somebody took out the CEL bulb.
Your starting problem may be due to a temperature sensor that has gone bad. When your engine is cold, the ECM will give it extra fuel to aid in starting. This extra fuel is not needed when the engine is hot, and indeed it will flood a hot engine. If you have a bad temperature sensor, then the ECM thinks your engine is cold all the time and you will get the symptoms you are seeing.
First thing you need to do is check your CEL bulb, though. Then you can check for codes.
Your starting problem may be due to a temperature sensor that has gone bad. When your engine is cold, the ECM will give it extra fuel to aid in starting. This extra fuel is not needed when the engine is hot, and indeed it will flood a hot engine. If you have a bad temperature sensor, then the ECM thinks your engine is cold all the time and you will get the symptoms you are seeing.
First thing you need to do is check your CEL bulb, though. Then you can check for codes.
09-23-2002 | 06:05 AM
#6
As a temporary fix, put the accelerator to the floor as you're trying to start the engine, and lift as soon as it fires. By doing this you'll shut the flow of fuel off at the injectors so you won't flodd the engine. At least that's supposed to happen.
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