After reading all 2 pages of the 4th gen (read me!) FAQ and not finding the answers I needed, I decided to bring up the question here.

It's been raining a lot during the past 2 weeks accompanied by very cold temperatures. My car never hard-started on me up until recently while I am visiting my mother in LA and the temp out here is a bit warmer, around mid 70 degrees. For a couple of days now, no matter what time of the day, the car was hard-starting. It's not so much a repetitive crank, crank, crank and no turn over. It's more like crank, then starts to "choke" for lack of better word, up to just a wizzing sound. The only way I can get it to start is to turn the key back to OFF, then after 5 seconds, restarting the engine. In addition, I'd have to somewhat give it a little gas to get the engine to finally turn over and run.

I vaguely remember reading from somewhere in the org that it might be a sensor causing this. I cannot remember which sensor it might be. Could it be the air temp sensor, coolant temp sensor, or crankshaft position sensor?

Thanks.

 

BTW, I get no ecu code.

 

Wow....no input? Its hard to believe noone has had this specific problem. I have read hard-starting issues during the cold but its symptoms is totally opposite from mine.

Anyone?

 

i have the same problem dude...anyone please help!

 

I ventured outside the org (search is free!) and got a few suggestions:

1) check fuel pump circuit
2) check fuel pressure regulator system
3) check fuel injector circuit
4) check camshaft phase position sensor
5) check mass airflow sensor circuit
6) replace fuel filter - I already did this when I first got the car

I'll start with the easiest ones, I'm going to clean the MAF sensor and check/clean the camshaft phase position sensor and will report back to you 5Zpeed.

 

Just curious, did you find the problem?

My 1995 is doing almost exactly what you are describing except it doesn't help to blip the gas. I have ruled out fuel filter, throttle body clean/base idle set, battery, starter, ground cables. I actually cleaned up the crank position sensor on the bellhousing since I think it started when I did my clutch (although recently has gotten worse). I am at a loss...

 

hard starting witha warm engine can be caused by something as simple as a dirty air filter, you can check the coolant temp sensor which may also be the cause with an ohmeter, take it out hook up an ohmeter and hold a lighter under it the resistance should change.im not sure how you check the crank sensor, hopefully youll get acode soon, thatll narrow it down lol.

 

Yeah, I forgot to mention that the air filter is new and the ECTS was replaced. Not so much that the problem happens when warm...it happens to the same extent cold or warm. No codes I'm afraid. I'm almost tempted to just replace the crank POS and see if that works although I hate when I do that and find the problem wasn't with that part. I appreciate your comments though!

 

It wouldnt be a crank or cam sensor the engine eill not turn unless it get a signal from those, their holleffect sensors, to see if its a fuel problem just turn engine over and test the fuel rail, if their is fuel your fine. try testing for high resistance on you battery to starter cable, from their test from alt to battery if both are less than .05 ohms of resistance your good!!

 

When was your last spark plug change?

This seemed to help me when I had problems with hard starting.

 

With a bad coolant temp sensor, it tells the ECU that your engine is colder than it actually is. Then it dumps in additional fuel to help the cold start. The problem is, you dont need the extra fuel to start in warmer conditions. So check that out.

 

I was actually thinking about that. I put in NGK coppers only about 10k miles ago. Still, I remember when I had Bosch Platinums, the car was hard to start--took those out and problem was gone.

The thing that gets me is the car is great once started.

The engine coolant temp sensor (ECTS) is pretty new.

 

While struggling to get the car to start today, after a couple of tries, I heard backfire from the exhaust. Makes me think this isn't a fuel issue. When I unplug any of the crankcase position sensors, the starter give a solid attempt. However, when trying to start the car, it almost seems like the starter pauses as the engine tries to turn over but just is not able to. I may change all the plugs (cheap to do with coppers) before I consider replacing the rear crank pos sensor which costs $110. I am wondering if the sensor can still work but become "tired" with age. The hall effect sensor on my garage door opener worked sporadically before it eventually gave it up. I replaced just that part on the circuit board and the thing was up and running again.