Takes two tries to start car...?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Takes two tries to start car...?
Hey all,
My daily driver '95 just started having a funny symptom now that the weather here is getting cold (oil/coolant temps read "LO" instead of a double digit number now).
When I turn the key, I'll hear the engine start to turn over, but it putts out immediately. Then on the second try (after I wait 5-10 seconds), it starts up just fine. This has happened for the last 3 consecutive times.
Current oil weight is 10w30. Do I need to change it to 5w30? Is this an electrical issue? I believe the alternator and battery are in good condition. Overall the LT1 is in good shape, had a blown headgasket a year ago and many things were replaced including plugs/wires/opti.
Also, there is a noticeably loud humming noise that sometimes starts soon after ignition. I never really paid attention to it because everything seems to be fine. Not sure if that's what the fuel pump sounds like or the fans.
Thanks,
Will
My daily driver '95 just started having a funny symptom now that the weather here is getting cold (oil/coolant temps read "LO" instead of a double digit number now).
When I turn the key, I'll hear the engine start to turn over, but it putts out immediately. Then on the second try (after I wait 5-10 seconds), it starts up just fine. This has happened for the last 3 consecutive times.
Current oil weight is 10w30. Do I need to change it to 5w30? Is this an electrical issue? I believe the alternator and battery are in good condition. Overall the LT1 is in good shape, had a blown headgasket a year ago and many things were replaced including plugs/wires/opti.
Also, there is a noticeably loud humming noise that sometimes starts soon after ignition. I never really paid attention to it because everything seems to be fine. Not sure if that's what the fuel pump sounds like or the fans.
Thanks,
Will
Last edited by bolowbc; Dec 8, 2010 at 01:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Editted my post above. I don't know exact numbers, but fuel pressure climbs after I start my car according to the gauge. I don't remember seeing any strange fluctuations or ranges out of the ordinary.
Last edited by bolowbc; Dec 8, 2010 at 01:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? That loud humming noise you hear, might be the fuel pump in your gas tank straining against a clogged fuel filter. I'm having the same problems (no fuel pressure for 8 seconds) on the 87' and the fuel filter hasn't been changed for years and years!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Is it possible it's the battery? When it "putts out", I mean this is a split-second within the time I turn the key. I also noticed that the digital readout got all jumbled. If memory serves me, I think the display doesn't get all fubar when starting the car...
Haven't changed it ever, had the car for about a year. The humming noise comes from the front (engine bay)... possibly near driver side though.
When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? That loud humming noise you hear, might be the fuel pump in your gas tank straining against a clogged fuel filter. I'm having the same problems (no fuel pressure for 8 seconds) on the 87' and the fuel filter hasn't been changed for years and years!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Cold weather has plays all kinds of funny tricks on cars.
Question, Does it do this on cold start only, or every time?
The whining, buzzing, noise could be the AIR pump, the alternator, or the compressor. Again, on cold start only?
The "lo" reading means that the oil and coolant are below 32*.
Everyone seems to point to fuel, and this may be. But I would look to electrical first. How old, and what condition is the battery? We all know what freezing temps do to batteries and ours seem to be especially vunerable due to their location.
Also, if you can, try to make sure your plugs and coil connections have a coat of dielectric grease. This will help to insulate against condensation issues.
Another thing I like to do, as I drive her year around, is when I know the overnight temps are going to be below freezing, I will take her for a drive later at night to get everything nice and warm. This helps to reduce the cooling effect and keeps a fresh charge on the battery to protect against the freezing temps.
Question, Does it do this on cold start only, or every time?
The whining, buzzing, noise could be the AIR pump, the alternator, or the compressor. Again, on cold start only?
The "lo" reading means that the oil and coolant are below 32*.
Everyone seems to point to fuel, and this may be. But I would look to electrical first. How old, and what condition is the battery? We all know what freezing temps do to batteries and ours seem to be especially vunerable due to their location.
Also, if you can, try to make sure your plugs and coil connections have a coat of dielectric grease. This will help to insulate against condensation issues.
Another thing I like to do, as I drive her year around, is when I know the overnight temps are going to be below freezing, I will take her for a drive later at night to get everything nice and warm. This helps to reduce the cooling effect and keeps a fresh charge on the battery to protect against the freezing temps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Cold weather has plays all kinds of funny tricks on cars.
Question, Does it do this on cold start only, or every time?
The whining, buzzing, noise could be the AIR pump, the alternator, or the compressor. Again, on cold start only?
The "lo" reading means that the oil and coolant are below 32*.
Everyone seems to point to fuel, and this may be. But I would look to electrical first. How old, and what condition is the battery? We all know what freezing temps do to batteries and ours seem to be especially vunerable due to their location.
Also, if you can, try to make sure your plugs and coil connections have a coat of dielectric grease. This will help to insulate against condensation issues.
Another thing I like to do, as I drive her year around, is when I know the overnight temps are going to be below freezing, I will take her for a drive later at night to get everything nice and warm. This helps to reduce the cooling effect and keeps a fresh charge on the battery to protect against the freezing temps.
Question, Does it do this on cold start only, or every time?
The whining, buzzing, noise could be the AIR pump, the alternator, or the compressor. Again, on cold start only?
The "lo" reading means that the oil and coolant are below 32*.
Everyone seems to point to fuel, and this may be. But I would look to electrical first. How old, and what condition is the battery? We all know what freezing temps do to batteries and ours seem to be especially vunerable due to their location.
Also, if you can, try to make sure your plugs and coil connections have a coat of dielectric grease. This will help to insulate against condensation issues.
Another thing I like to do, as I drive her year around, is when I know the overnight temps are going to be below freezing, I will take her for a drive later at night to get everything nice and warm. This helps to reduce the cooling effect and keeps a fresh charge on the battery to protect against the freezing temps.
Those are some good tips, thanks! I may start doing late night drives. It's going to be tough to get out in the cold from the toasty warm indoors though.
It has only happened on cold starts. Strangely enough, it didn't happen this morning. Not sure how old the battery is.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
The humming noise could be the cooling fans coming on. You shouldn't have to mollycoddle your car for "cold" nights in your part of the world- Where I live winter temps occasionally approach zero, no starting issues. Re your oil question- for my LT1, a '92, GM specs 5w30.
If you are seeing a hesitation in cranking to start, maybe a winding in the starter is getting weak.
If you are seeing a hesitation in cranking to start, maybe a winding in the starter is getting weak.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
The humming noise could be the cooling fans coming on. You shouldn't have to mollycoddle your car for "cold" nights in your part of the world- Where I live winter temps occasionally approach zero, no starting issues. Re your oil question- for my LT1, a '92, GM specs 5w30.
If you are seeing a hesitation in cranking to start, maybe a winding in the starter is getting weak.
If you are seeing a hesitation in cranking to start, maybe a winding in the starter is getting weak.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh PA
Might not be getting the right fuel mixture due to being too cold. This could be electrical in the battery or possibly even a bad IAT type sensor.
If you start to crank it over and hold the throttle down all the way does it start on the first try?
If it starts fine when the engine is warm or when on a cold start when its warm outside, then I dont think its getting enough fuel. Cold starts typically take much more fuel to start up
If you start to crank it over and hold the throttle down all the way does it start on the first try?
If it starts fine when the engine is warm or when on a cold start when its warm outside, then I dont think its getting enough fuel. Cold starts typically take much more fuel to start up
