Car trouble help....

Jbird

Jbird

Kick Henry Jackassowski
My '07 Focus hatchback last night wouldn't start for 3 or four tries last night. It sounded like it wanted to start, like it was turning over, but just not firing up. About the 5th try it fired up just fine. The morning before, as I got out of work, it didn't fire up the first time but I thought maybe I had just released the key too quickly, as it started up fine the 2nd try.


I had the battery checked, it was gtg and not the original car battery (only 68k on the car now). So.....is the fuel pump maybe going? The guy that checked the battery at the local parts store said next time the engine does it, to turn the key over where the dashboard systems come on, maybe 2 or 3 times, then start the car. He said if it fires right up after doing that, the pump might be starting to go out?

:shrug:


I just set up an appointment to get it looked at Thursday.
 
Jbird said:
It didn't start.


Well, at least not until a few tries.
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Ok, so it will crank and crank without slowing, it just won't start.


When is does start does it drive normally, or does it studer from time to time?
 
reverend1 said:
Ok, so it will crank and crank without slowing, it just won't start.


When is does start does it drive normally, or does it studer from time to time?
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Drives nice and smooth after starting. I kept my eye on the tach at a couple of stop signs I hit on the way to work. No jumpy tach needle, and I didn't feel/hear anything out of the ordinary.
 
Jbird said:
Drives nice and smooth after starting. I kept my eye on the tach at a couple of stop signs I hit on the way to work. No jumpy tach needle, and I didn't feel/hear anything out of the ordinary.
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If it was a fuel filter, pump, or injector problem you would probably experience some blips while driving. Sounds like the starter is good. It might be electronic.
 
I'd check for moisture in the distributor cap. You tend to get condensation as the weather turns colder. If not, I'd look at carb/injectors.
 
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Have you ever changed the plugs? If they are just getting to the point where they need changed, it might make it hard starting without actually miss firing while you're driving.

How about the fuel filter?

I'd try to rule out the cheap stuff before you jump straight to fuel pump.
 
Prages said:
Have you ever changed the plugs? If they are just getting to the point where they need changed, it might make it hard starting without actually miss firing while you're driving.

How about the fuel filter?

I'd try to rule out the cheap stuff before you jump straight to fuel pump.
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Those plugs should go 100,000 miles.
 
I was going to suggest that it might be a cam sensor.

It really does sound like something electronic.

Although, it could be fuel related, but I'd be looking for some sort of leak or drain-back condition where it causes the fuel to drain away from the throttle body/injectors.
That would require the pump to fill up the fuel line at start up before the throttle body/injectors would have fuel to fire on.

A drain-back could be back into the tank via the fuel line or vent line. So, you wouldn't necessarily smell any fuel.
 
dodgechargerfan said:
I was going to suggest that it might be a cam sensor.

It really does sound like something electronic.

Although, it could be fuel related, but I'd be looking for some sort of leak or drain-back condition where it causes the fuel to drain away from the throttle body/injectors.
That would require the pump to fill up the fuel line at start up before the throttle body/injectors would have fuel to fire on.

A drain-back could be back into the tank via the fuel line or vent line. So, you wouldn't necessarily smell any fuel.
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Cam position sensor is a great call. I had one go out before and Jbird's problem were the same as mine.
 
reverend1 said:
I guessing it's something electronic.
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And an intermittent one at that, since the engine finally did start. One of two things will happen next, it'll go away or it'll finally shut the car down. I'll guess the latter will happen sooner or later.

I'd open the hood and poke around, look for any loose connections, cam sensor, crank sensor, any electronic connector that you can unplug and then re-seat. It's free and it won't hurt anything. Good luck, I don't like hearing about these things, especially since I'm looking at buying one!
 
My old Saturn had that problem. It was the relays and it took two trips to the shop before they figured it out.

It happened in the middle of Kansas in February during a snowstorm once. That was not a good day.
 
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