My 96 SE 5spd is now hard to start! It sat for 3 months waiting for the transmission to be rebuilt. Once that was done it was hard to start. I drove it like that for 2 weeks. Each time I would try to start it would either take a few tries....a few minutes...or 10-20 minutes to get started. The Alternator went bad. Replaced it. Still hard to start. The shop I took it to can't find the cause of the hard starting problem yet. Suggesting it is the ECU. When the alternator was going out it may have f'd it up. Anyone have the same problem with the same fix? Or do you have suggestions on what to do?

 

Also... It does crank. The starter sounds strong and the battery and alternator are both new. But still all it does is crank. I smell fuel after a few tries. It even sounds like its turning over but dies immediately. When It does get started it drives perfect. Smooth acceleration.. switches through gears fine. No problem.

Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this in the next day or so.

 

So why does it not start? No fuel? Spark?

 

That's what Im trying to figure out...

 

So are you saying that you've not checked for spark or fuel, two of the most crucial diagnostics for a no-start issue?

 

No...That's been checked. Its at the shop now. They checked spark, fuel, compression,...injectors... Everything seems to be working.

 

They are saying "MAYBE" Its the ECU. But, not certain. Im trying not to buy one and find out that wasn't the problem.

 

If it's at the shop, and you can't do your own diagnostics or look at the car, then we can't be of much help.

So again, it is getting spark, and the injectors are being pulsed while it's cranking? Does it have fuel pressure, or is fuel being assumed due to the injectors being activated?

How do the signals from both CKPS' and the CPS look? Checked the wiring and reference voltages for them?

And, of course...codes?

 

Tomorrow I will call and write down the specific details on everything thing they checked. I do remember them telling me they checked the injectors, did the compression test...fuel pump. There are a couple of codes. Of course the knock sensor (I refuse to replace that again) and something about EVAP...not sure exactly. But those two codes have been in there for over a year already and haven't had any problems from them. And again... when the car starts up it runs and idles perfect.

 

I did notice there was a TSB in the stickies for this. 96-032 (engine cranks, but wont start). Id like to be able to see the details on that and what the solution was.

 

That TSB concerns nothing more than checking base idle and ignition timing. The procedure must be performed with the engine running, so it's not possible here.