made in china

iTrader: (7)

I have a prob that I've been trying correctly diagnose for a while now. About 50% of the time my car starts just fine. Other times it will not fire off right away. If I try to start it, the first time I turn the key the engine just turns over and over constantly. It will not start if I keep the key held at START position. If I back off the ignition key and try again, it will start almost right away, but the idle may stumble a bit for a few seconds before resolving itself to a smooth idle.

Previously I diagnosed it as a fuel problem, I have been able to rule that out.

It is definitely not a problem with the starter, the car cranks fine.

I have no codes when I scan with a GST.

The car is a swap, full 5.5gen in a 4gen, so that may be an issue. The engine had 7900 miles when swapped into the car a year ago, and now it has over 35K miles. Drives/runs fine after starting.

I am thinking now that I may have a spark problem, either due to bad plugs or the ECU not firing the coils (or injectors maybe?) due to a intermittent CPS or CAM sensor. Not real sure because my GST does not show any pending codes.

I'd like to get a Consult-II to diagnose my problem,but that will be my last option as it is $$$ to get a dealer to scan, and they may be unwilling to let me take part in the diagnosis.

Anybody have a similar starting issue? What was the resolution? Any other ideas? My old 3.0 had a bad CAM sensor that caused similar issues, but the ECU gave me a code for it and that problem went from intermittent to dead car within a few weeks.