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Sometimes I've noticed when starting my '94 I seem to have a "delayed start." Most times it fires right up but from time to time it will not start instantaneously but only while holding the ignition in the start position for anywhere from 1-3 seconds will then start.
I went through literally everything on my 93 that would cause a hard start. Always started right up cold. But anytime you brought the engine up to temp, and let it sit for 20 minutes or more, it would take about 3 or 4 engine cranks to start. Despite that, it ran awesome. Only thing I left untouched was the fuel pump relay.
I would lift up the fuel rail, and see if fuel drips from the injectors. Key on, then off. Obviously don't start it.
If I understand your problem, it was the same as I had on my 92. It takes 2-3 seconds for the starter to engage and spin.
It was the contacts in the starter. Simple fix costs around $20 for parts and about an hour or two to do start to finish.
Over time the contacts burn and build up carbon. When you turn the key it takes a few seconds to burn through the carbon.
here are some pics of what I found with new parts for comparison
Or he means like my 94, which is not a DD, on the initial cold start it cranks over fine but kind of stumbles before it actually begins to run. Once warmed up it cranks the same but starts running right away. Opti and ICM recently changed. Car runs fine, just figured it was 20+ years old and maybe they all do this.
No its on the same page as what @belairbrian is talking about.
I will literally hold the ignition in the start position with the clutch in and nothing happens (not trying to turnover or anything) then suddenly the starter will kick in and the engine will turn right over. This happens to me maybe about 20% of the time with startups. Its seems strange but I think that @belairbrian could be on the right track as what I'm experience from time to time.
Really seems to be more of a nuisance issue. In the beginning when this started happening I thought I would be stranded because, I would keep trying to start it with nothing however now I've learned now that if I actually HOLD the ignition in the start position for a few seconds it comes right up...
I agree with belairbrian ... Never had it happen on my vette,,, but had the exact same thing on my sons 2002 mustang GT... did all kinds of troubleshooting ,,could never find a problem.. Then, it started becoming more frequent ..Then, one day wouldn't start at all ,,2hrs later , fired up normal... Put a new starter on it and ..... fixed .. hasn't happened again .
I agree with belairbrian ... Never had it happen on my vette,,, but had the exact same thing on my sons 2002 mustang GT... did all kinds of troubleshooting ,,could never find a problem.. Then, it started becoming more frequent ..Then, one day wouldn't start at all ,,2hrs later , fired up normal... Put a new starter on it and ..... fixed .. hasn't happened again .
I went as far as adjusting the ignition switch down on the column (Which is a pain) before I found out about the starter contacts here on the forum.
My bad. would have helped if i read the OP's full post. No wonder the wife accuses me of not paying attention. Maybe I was actually trying to hijack the tread to have someone say my problem was not one, and is normal. My C4 is is becoming quite the bank account drainer and i can't stop myself.
I had this happen to me a few times also after the car has been sitting idle for many weeks of time. It would take a longer time cranking to finally start even though the engine seemed to be turning over smooth enough. It turned out that the battery wasn't fully charged. It showed about 11.5 to 11.7 amps. As soon as I put a complete charge on the battery, it turned over very quick and with only about two cranks of the engine. After the complete charge, it then registers 13.7 to 14.5 while running. And then if driven daily, it always starts very quickly.
Delayed start
