YACT: what could be the cause of a *sometimes* long crank to start

[Maximus96]

over the past several weeks i noticed that sometimes my car would take a long time of cranking before it starts. today for instance, when i was leaving work, it took a good 1.5 to 2 seconds to start. usually it takes about .5 or so sec. to start. today was the longest i had to hold it to start it. is my starter dying? fuel pump? what could it be?

 

[Actaeon]

My first guess is the starter. My brother had that problem on his car until he replaced it, now it works fine.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
My first guess is the starter. My brother had that problem on his car until he replaced it, now it works fine.

He said it's cranking over.

 

[HiTek21]

bad fuel pump or a fuel pump relay?

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Actaeon
My first guess is the starter. My brother had that problem on his car until he replaced it, now it works fine.

He said it's cranking over.

I know he did.

My brothers car would hesitate, then it would start up after a couple of seconds. Just like Zaku's problem.

Very different car though. Zaku drives a Maxima, my brother drives a Trans-Am (LT1, he replaced his starter with an LT4 starter).

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Actaeon
My first guess is the starter. My brother had that problem on his car until he replaced it, now it works fine.

He said it's cranking over.

I know he did.

My brothers car would hesitate, then it would start up after a couple of seconds. Just like Zaku's problem.

Very different car though. Zaku drives a Maxima, my brother drives a Trans-Am (LT1, he replaced his starter with an LT4 starter).

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a starter "half" failing to the point where it doesen't crank the engine fast enough to start it, or something.

I'm sure it's certainly possible though. I didn't get the impression that there was anything weird with the cranking, though.. just that it was taking extra long to actually catch.

Our Camry is the same way. It's always been like that, so its just become normal.. I wonder what the exact cause could be, though.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Actaeon
My first guess is the starter. My brother had that problem on his car until he replaced it, now it works fine.

He said it's cranking over.

I know he did.

My brothers car would hesitate, then it would start up after a couple of seconds. Just like Zaku's problem.

Very different car though. Zaku drives a Maxima, my brother drives a Trans-Am (LT1, he replaced his starter with an LT4 starter).

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a starter "half" failing to the point where it doesen't crank the engine fast enough to start it, or something.

I'm sure it's certainly possible though. I didn't get the impression that there was anything weird with the cranking, though.. just that it was taking extra long to actually catch.

Our Camry is the same way. It's always been like that, so its just become normal.. I wonder what the exact cause could be, though.

My brother told me it only occured when it was hot. He could start up in the morning just fine. Lets say, he parked somewhere, came back after a few minutes, and the engine hasn't cooled down enough, it would hestitate for a few seconds, but still start the car up.

He then replaced his starter with a new one, and it works perfectly now.

The starter was my initial assumption, but I'm sure there are other factors which could cause the same symptoms.

I don't have any expertise, I just based my answer off a car I know with a similar problem, with a solution that had worked.

 

[Maximus96]

i don't think mine is weather related. it was hot today, but i've also had the same problem when i drive the car at night, around 11:00.

 

[Maximus96]

also i recently did a tune up about a month ago. new plugs, air/oil/fuel filters, cleaned throttle body, new battery, new pcv valve, flushed trans. fluid...

 

[HiTek21]

I have a problem with my car starting up right away after its been parked for several hours. It usually happens in the mornings when its been sitting for 10 hours. People the Legend board I visit say its common and is usually caused by a bad main relay, the solder in the relay starts seperating. I checked the relay and cleaned all the connections with some contact cleaner and the problem has stopped (hopefully). Not sure if its common on a maxima but its worth investigating.

 

[nageov3t]

it happens to me on occasion (97 Ford Escort), but usually only if there was a recent drop in temperature or if I'm down to less than half a tank of gas.

 

[element]

fuel pump or relay, pulling codes to see if anything else is wrong can't hurt...

 

[OrganizedChaos]

your spoiled. real men have a foot on the clutch, a foot to pump the gas, and then get to turn the key all while hoping the choke isn't stuck again.

 

[HiTek21]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
your spoiled. real men have a foot on the clutch, a foot to pump the gas, and then get to turn the key all while hoping the choke isn't stuck again.

Thats what I had to do in my old Toyota Pick-Up. It didn't like starting up in the mornings so I had to push the gas pedal two times then turn it on. Any more or anyless and it wouldn't start. The good old days.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: HiTek21
I have a problem with my car starting up right away after its been parked for several hours. It usually happens in the mornings when its been sitting for 10 hours. People the Legend board I visit say its common and is usually caused by a bad main relay, the solder in the relay starts seperating. I checked the relay and cleaned all the connections with some contact cleaner and the problem has stopped (hopefully). Not sure if its common on a maxima but its worth investigating.

where is the main relay? also i pulled the code a month ago and it was fine, i will try again tomorrow to see. thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: HiTek21

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
your spoiled. real men have a foot on the clutch, a foot to pump the gas, and then get to turn the key all while hoping the choke isn't stuck again.

Thats what I had to do in my old Toyota Pick-Up. It didn't like starting up in the mornings so I had to push the gas pedal two times then turn it on. Any more or anyless and it wouldn't start. The good old days.

You have to give the modified 350 in my 1/2 ton Chevy PU 3-4 pumps to get 'er going without excessive cranking.

If she's sat a week or more, it can be more like..

/pumps pedal 5 times
/turns over for 3-4 seconds, while pumping pedal
/stops
/turns over again, 1 or 2 pumps and she'll fire right up

Gotta love that mild cam.

 

[HappyCracker]

I have a 95 Maxima and in order for it to start properly I have to turn the key to ACC (last one before start or something) wait for it to click (I think it's the pump priming the engine) and then turn. I can't immediately go from key insert to start or it doesn't give me any engine love.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: zaku

Originally posted by: HiTek21
I have a problem with my car starting up right away after its been parked for several hours. It usually happens in the mornings when its been sitting for 10 hours. People the Legend board I visit say its common and is usually caused by a bad main relay, the solder in the relay starts seperating. I checked the relay and cleaned all the connections with some contact cleaner and the problem has stopped (hopefully). Not sure if its common on a maxima but its worth investigating.

where is the main relay? also i pulled the code a month ago and it was fine, i will try again tomorrow to see. thanks for all the suggestions.

Main relay problems usually make themselves known when it is hot outside.

Personally, I replaced mine so it does start on hot days but cranking time hasn't gotten any shorter. Oddly enough, my "new" motor takes about as long to start as my old one and it's got at least 100k fewer miles.