Hello all. This is my first post here. This forum
has been very informative and assisted in the purchase
of my 2001 Max SE fully loaded in Aug 2001. But since
that time, I had to bring it in for the brake shuddering
TSB and the car has been giving me problems previously
in starting the car. Yesterday afternoon (temps about
25 degrees F in nyc), the car just wouldnt turn off when
i try to start it. the starter turned but it wouldnt crank
over. after numerous attempts, it started to choke a bit if
i started it a little longer. after a few attempts with
letting the starter spin and the foot pumping the gas, it
finally turned over. Just wondering if anyone has this
problem with their car. I had in the past, started the car
and have it die immediately after it turned over in the
summer. other times the car starts and drops real low in
the rpm as if it was about to die again. BTW i filled the
car with a full tank of gas two days before and i started
it perfectly the day before just to move it out of the
garage for something (always been using premium gas since
day 1).

Please help if this is another TSB (only have
6k miles on the car and so far it hasnt
been trouble free at all). Thanks in advance for any
insight and help you can provide in this matter.

 

Man as the colder the weather gets, starting problem is popping out left & right.

 

My understanding is that if the car doesn't start the first or second time with the foot off the gas (the usual way to start it) then push the gas all the way to the floor and while the pedal is fully down start the car. This usally works with these engines.

 

I have had problems starting my '01 SE as well. Two different scenario's typically.

1. Freaking cold outside and baby doesn't want to start! The Max's are DEFINATELY cold natured.

2. The most common for me. If I have been driving it and only been out of it temporarily (5 - 20 minutes) then get back in, sometimes starting it can be a PAIN. It will turn over and over and over and never seem to catch. Dealership said to stop trying to start it and take the key out of the ignition. They said it could be that I put the key in and tried to start the car before the theft guard could realize the correct key was in the ignition. Seems to work. All I know is it's d*mn embarassing for a beautiful new white SE to be sounding like a junked out Metro because it won't start, hehehe.