Trouble Starting

topgunjames

topgunjames

Member
hey guys, been reading through the forums for a while, but only just became a member since i got an annoying problem.

Ive got a manual 97 lancer MR (4G93) that has been having trouble starting. The engine cranks but does not turn over, and this typically only happens when the engine is cold and has been happening lately since the weather has gotten colder. The car will only start after cranking 4 or 5 times, and pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor.
When the engine does turn over, it sounds very weak for a couple of seconds, the revs are like below 500 rpm and i have to keep my foot on the accelerator till the revs jump up, then i can let go after that and its all fine.
One more thing, when the engine does turn over, sometimes i can hear like a clunking noise in the engine bay, it just happens once, and does not always happen

Ive heard there might be soemthing wrong with my fuel injection components, tomorrow plan on testing if the sparks get any ignition to at least narrow the problem to be likely to the fuel delivery system.

Any ideas and help is appreciated thanks :thumbup:
 
You can start with the sparks, but i would look more at injectors or fuel pump. Have you check the filter, induction pipe and TB for blockages? Does your car smoke at all when running or just after it fires? After its be driving, does it attempt to stall when you stop at lights or park? What fuel do you run?
 
Yeh i plan on taking out one boot, then putting a test spark plug in, getting someone to crank it to see if the test spark plug is firing then i can rule out ignitions as possible cause. My car never smokes even when going hard, and i recently got a full CAI installed by hens performance. The car never stalls, the only problem is when it first starts, its very weak for a couple of seconds and i have to keep my foot on the accelerator to prevent the car from turning off, then its normal. I always use Shell V power.
I have a feeling its to do with the fuel delivery system, but im completely confused by the single clunk sound that occurs occasionaly after the engine starts when cold

The car starts with no unusual noises or problems when its warm if that helps
 
with the given info you couldnt possibly diagnose this over the net, BUT the slow start in the morning is a sure sign your battery could be on its way out, batterys dont like the cold, and id be trying another throttle body for your poor idling aye, my mates car had the same symptoms and its idle control was playing up, otherwise theres so many reasons why this could be happening, but id start with this 1st.
 
My opinion is that your ECU maybe playing up. But as Joshy said, take it to the mechanics, as they can physically inspect the car
 
Have you run injector cleaner?
And yes battery could be a hinderer, but after several attempts to start i would think if it was the battery trying to start the engine multiple times would just drain it and it wouldn't start at all
 
mdclear said:
Have you run injector cleaner?
And yes battery could be a hinderer, but after several attempts to start i would think if it was the battery trying to start the engine multiple times would just drain it and it wouldn't start at all
Click to expand...

you would be suprised how dead a battery can be and still just gets it there lol, happens quite alot, but his battery isnt necesarily dead, it could be jsut ''weak''
 
I elimitaed the battery out of the factor since the engine is cranking and sounding very strong, the problem is turning voer that why i suspect the ignition or fuel as the problem, but ecu could be another possibiltiy, but still doesnt explain the clunk noise heard form the engine bay when doing a cold start
 
As the for the idle speed control unit, i may be wrong but i dont think its the problem, becuase the car douesnt surge or idle weakly, its only when i first start the car when the engine is cold.
 
Hang on... i have an idea.

You say that its only a cold start... What if, there is a leak between the pump and injectors, or somewhere along the line after the pump, say its leaking, even slightly, after sitting it'll empty its self, so when you start up it may not get fuel to your engine straight away and then when it regains pressure it'll run, and when it regains fully it'll idle properly... idea?
 
Actually that idea sound reasonable, ill test that out tomorrow by leaving the ignition on for say 20 or so secs so fuel pressure can buidl up then try starting, but still what do you guys reckon the clunk nosie could be from?
 
try leaving your ignition on for like 10 seconds before starting, let the fuel pump prime a bit. no harm in trying,
 
it could've been just a slight jam from the cold? or maybe the clutch area, probs something harmless if it didn't change anything.
 
well its a clunk noise sounds like something with a reaosnable amount of mass and definately from engine by but i havent pin point where since ive been the only one starting the car, ill get my sister or soemthing to start it and try hear where it comes from roughly.
Ive heard it could be a loose starter motor, i read that on a kia forums lol
 
haha, this happens sometimes because the ring gear teeth a damaged, or pinion teeth, (drive teeth in starter motor) and if its happeing just at when the car starts the starter motor is at its fastest, so the teeth could be slippingoff the ring gear or not quite meshing correctly, or unmeshing poorly when you let go of start. too many possibilitys man, especially when i cant hear the noise for myself.
 
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