Trouble starting

[kevina001]

I'm having trouble starting the car recently. When I turn the key the engine will crank but never start. If I put my foot on the gas a little bit while I turn the key the engine will start, but once I take my foot off the pedal it shuts down. Eventually I can get the car to start doing this but sometimes it takes quite a while. And other times the car starts right up with no problems. Does anyone know what the problem may be?

 

[Alec]

sounds like the fuel system. how does the truck idle, and have you noticed any change in fuel usage? when you turn the key to "on" before you start it, can you always hear the fuel pump pressurize the system?

Welcome to the site!

 

[Opera House]

Have you left something out?

Does it do this over night? After it has been turned of hot for 20 minutes? I suggest you try this test. Next time you sart the car, turn the key on for 5 seconds then off for 5 seconds. Do this five times without cranking the engine. Then try to start it. You may have a leakdown problem and have this big air bubble in the fuel rail. This procedure will clear it. If this doesn't work, we can start looking at other things. Do you have a digital voltmeter?

 

[kevina001]

It's more likely to start up OK if I've driven the car recently. In other words, it seems more likely to have problems starting if I've left it overnight or for several hours. But the last three mornings it started right up. On Saturday it took me a half hour to get it started. It usually won't start for me when I really need to get somewhere.......

 

[Alec]

Yup, definately sounds like the fuel system if giving it gas helps.

You have to help us narrow down the problem though. Can you always hear the fuel pump when turning the car on? This will sound like a little whirr coming from the gas tank, and will occur when you turn the car to on but wait a few seconds to start it. Also, how does the truck run and idle otherwise? And how has your mileage been?

Off on a limb, it could also be your IAC, idle air control valve.

 

[kevina001]

Once it gets started, it idles fine. I haven't noticed a change in mileage either. I'll have to listen for the fuel pump when I turn the car on. Will it help if I turn the key on and leave it for a few seconds before trying to start the car?

 

[TPLYNCH]

If the checkback valve is faulty, cycling the fuel pump on and off a couple times to prime as described above will help. First thing to deterime is to make sure the fuel pump is working to begin with, so be sure to listen for the whine.