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Weird starting issue

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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 06:04 PM
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Default Weird starting issue

2003 stock coupe.

Im recently experiencing a weird issue when starting. On the first turn of the key, it won’t start. But when I let the key go back to ACC and then try to crank, it immediately starts right up. Very repeatable as I literally just did it three times in a row.

Cranking is very strong and the battery is only a year or two old.

Any ideas? Do I possibly have a fuel pump going bad?

TIA
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 06:08 PM
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When cranking the first time is the tach moving?
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 06:14 PM
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Are you allowing the 2 secound fuel pump prime to time out before turning the key to start your car the first time? Sounds like a fuel pressure issue.
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Dads2kconvertible
When cranking the first time is the tach moving?
The tach jumps when I first turn the key but stays at zero while it’s cranking (I just checked).

Originally Posted by mmartinez
Are you allowing the 2 secound fuel pump prime to time out before turning the key to start your car the first time? Sounds like a fuel pressure issue.
I tried turning the key to ACC and letting it sit for a few seconds before cranking. Still had the issue. I then tried turning to ACC then letting the gages all bump and go back to zero. So far that has it starting. I’ve just never had to do that before.
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 06:48 PM
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Would I be correct to try changing the fuel filter before changing the fuel pump? As far as I know it’s the original filter (and pump for that matter).

That is…as long as it’s not a later 2003 where they put everything IN the fuel tank…

ugh…
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
The tach jumps when I first turn the key but stays at zero while it’s cranking (I just checked).



I tried turning the key to ACC and letting it sit for a few seconds before cranking. Still had the issue. I then tried turning to ACC then letting the gages all bump and go back to zero. So far that has it starting. I’ve just never had to do that before.

If Tach doesn’t move during cranking may be a flakey crank sensor or its wiring.
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by C5 Diag
If Tach doesn’t move during cranking may be a flakey crank sensor or its wiring.
But it still ends up starting on the second try. Every time.
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
But it still ends up starting on the second try. Every time.

Possibly an intermittent issue..don’t know what else to tell you.
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 07:58 PM
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Sounds more like a leaking fuel injector bleeding off fuel pressure, the reason it always starts after the first attempt is because the fuel pressure is normal after the first attempt to start.
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Old Jun 11, 2025 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mmartinez
Sounds more like a leaking fuel injector bleeding off fuel pressure, the reason it always starts after the first attempt is because the fuel pressure is normal after the first attempt to start.
Well…I did just have some work done on it. I got the rear main seal replaced and they found a dry rotted PCV hose…so they took the intake manifold off to replace it.

Maybe something happed to one of the fuel injectors then?
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Old Jun 12, 2025 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
2003 stock coupe.

Im recently experiencing a weird issue when starting. On the first turn of the key, it won’t start. But when I let the key go back to ACC and then try to crank, it immediately starts right up. Very repeatable as I literally just did it three times in a row.
Let's get the key position straight first. There are 4 positions in the ignition switch: OFF, ACC, ON, START. If you turn the key to START and you "let the key go" it returns to the ON position.......NOT ACC. If you are turning the key back to ACC this is a manual effort, not automatic. Please cofirm.


Originally Posted by jjaaam
Well…I did just have some work done on it. I got the rear main seal replaced and they found a dry rotted PCV hose…so they took the intake manifold off to replace it.
Come on man....when you are seeking help always disclose the history.

In any case, if you are going through your key turning routine and it starts EVERY time, then it's unlikely a crank sensor issue. Could it be intermittent?..possible, but not plausible in a repeatable pattern turning the key.

Pull our codes from the DIC.

First step is to check fuel pressure at the rail. Key to ON, pump will run two seconds. Pressure should hold.





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Old Jun 12, 2025 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Let's get the key position straight first. There are 4 positions in the ignition switch: OFF, ACC, ON, START. If you turn the key to START and you "let the key go" it returns to the ON position.......NOT ACC. If you are turning the key back to ACC this is a manual effort, not automatic. Please cofirm.



Come on man....when you are seeking help always disclose the history.

In any case, if you are going through your key turning routine and it starts EVERY time, then it's unlikely a crank sensor issue. Could it be intermittent?..possible, but not plausible in a repeatable pattern turning the key.

Pull our codes from the DIC.

First step is to check fuel pressure at the rail. Key to ON, pump will run two seconds. Pressure should hold.

Yes - ON, not ACC. My mistake.

I will pull codes when I get home
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