starting issues

[munkee]

I looked up some other posts on this but I'm not sure I really found the answer. My 90 mtx has some trouble starting. It just had a full 60k. Sometimes when I start it I don't wait until the fuel pump stops before cranking. When I do that it will just turn over, it won't fire even if I step on the gas. Occasionally it will do this even if I let the pump finish priming first. Then when I shut it off and let it prime again it will crank a couple of times, stop, turn over slowly once or twice kind of like an almost dead battery symptom, then fire. It kind of acts like it is working against itself. The battery and charging system is fine and I'm not getting any codes. My other 90 doesn't act like this even when I'm in a hurry and don't let it prime all the way first. Any input is appreciated, thanks.

 

[rangerj]

Munkee,

If it is turning over slowly, and the battery is OK, it sounds like the starter is on its way out.

See if Auto Zone has the equipment to do an amp draw test on the starter while it is on the car. If not, you can take the starter to an auto parts store and have it tested.

You can also have this done at a service station that does mechanical work. There are a few of those left, but not many these days!

They will charge you a small amount for the service, but it's better than paying $75 to $90 for a diagnostic fee at a dealer!

With the information given these are my thoughts. rangerj

 

[munkee]

Ok, I will test it this weekend at the shop. I had checked the battery and alternator but not the amp draw at the starter. I didn't think of the starter being bad because it doesn't crank slowly all the time, just usually when it doesn't start on the first try and I have to try again. Hopefully thats what it is though since I have a couple of starters on hand. Thanks.

 

[aaronsbiza]

When I first got my 95ATX I was having strange problems like that, and it was followed by other symptoms such as the tach dropping off, the CE light, but it turned out to be the CPS. Now I am having the same issue that you are having. Ie... I start the car in the mornig, it will start up fine. When I try to start it when I leave work for lunch, it will either crank a lot longer than normal to get started or in rare cases it will do what you described. Sometimes I'll crank it and it won't start until I let off on the key. The symptoms are very intermittent and very annoying, try cycling the fuel pump about 5 - 6 times and see if it'll start right up, my car seems to start after doing that. I was told it may be a fuel pump on its last legs. I will tell you though I am nowhere near an expert in these matters and this is just my experience with this issue, I am sure there are other forum members that can elaborate on this issue more exstensively.