Car hesitates to start at crank

[Aimster]

As the title suggested. It starts, but for a brief 1-3 seconds I get scared that it won't.

Afraid it might leave me stranded one of these days.

 

[DaedalCipher]

I wouldn't worry until it actually doesn't start, since there are so many things that would make it hesitate you'd waste too much time worrying about them.

If you're feeling way pro-active though, have someone look at the starter, the fuel pump, the fuel filter, or the O2 sensor. Those a re a couple things associated with your problem.

But again, it's gonna be hard to tell which it is, if any, especially if your car has more than 50k (arbitrary number for the most part) miles. All those parts are gonna show some wear.

 

[zig3695]

wait... does it hesitate to crank or does it hesitate to fire while being cranked?

 

[SparkyJJO]

If it cranks OK but hesitates to fire, but is fine after it is going and then starts right up again if you shut it off and try again it could be your fuel pressure regulator. I know mine is worn because it does that, it lets the fuel slowly run backwards as the car sits so then when I go to start the engine there is no fuel at the engine so it has to crank for a little bit to get the fuel back up there again.

 

[zig3695]

well, if he wants to check that he can turn the ignition on, then back off, then back on a couple times before he actually tries to crank. everytime you turn the key to the on position the fuel pump primes up for a few sec.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yeah, try turning the key on and off a couple times before you start it.

Also try turning the key on and counting to 5 before you try to start it.

 

[Nyati13]

Bad Solenoid? Easy and cheap to replace if that's what's wrong.