I've got '95 w/ 47k. When the temp is below 30 and the car was sitting over night it hesitates to start. It turns over and coughs, but then dies out. The only way to get it running is to step on the gas, turn it over, and then it revs up. This doesn't happen all the time, only when it wants to. I use regular gas, would this really have an affect on starting?

Thanks, mike

 

I believe 5W-30 is reccomended for cold starts. Maybe you need to invest in a block heater.

 

Fueling with regular gasoline should not cause difficult starting, regardless of ambient temperature.

The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor sends a "cold engine" or "warm engine" signal to the Engine Control Module (the computer). The ECM responds to a "cold engine" signal by instructing the fuel injection system to deliver a rich mixture, to help with cold starting and driveability during the warm-up period. This is similar to the operation of the choke on a carbureted engine. Your symptom suggests that the ECTS is sending a "warm engine" signal prematurely.

You may want to test your ECTS. This is easy enough, requiring only an ohmmeter. With the engine cold, disconnect the ECTS and measure its resistance. Reconnect the ECTS, start the engine, run it until fully warmed up. Stop the engine, and repeat the resistance measurement. The "warm" reading should be a much lower value than the "cold" reading.

The Chilton Maxima shop manual gives these specs:
Engine coolant temperature 68F, ECTS resistance 2.1 - 2.9 Kohms
Engine coolant temperature 194F, ECTS resistance 0.24 - 0.26 Kohms
(Roughly a factor of ten difference.)

 

same thing happens here.. many other people too. Just after sitting long nights

 

this happens to our 95SE auto w/ 37k miles! i hate that..really bothers me. we haven't gotten to the bottom of it yet. does anyone else have a clue?

 

Mine was the starter. I know, I know. Lots of people say that couldn't be it. But, after replacing the starter, no more problems, even when the car sits all weekend. Judging from the posts, lots of people had starter probs on the 4th gens. I got mine replaced under warranty (orig owner with 100k warranty -- whoo hoo!).

-kev

 

Same problem with my 95. I think most likely it is the starter.