Start up problems

Ok this happened just last night...drove my car to get something to eat and came back and turned it off...went back 10 mins later and car would not start....turn the key and engine cranks up but as soon as you let it go so it can go back to the on position the engine shuts itself off. Also when this happens i noticed a loud noise coming from my intake. Ive had some ppl tell me it could be a vacuum hose or bad ignition wires. Engine only had 6k miles on it.

was it cold out side. my friend has a 98 lude and he cant get it to start if its cold. he is going to explore this weekend to find out what is up

no it wasnt cold...it wasabout 80 degrees outside and engine hadnt had time to cool off since i had just drove it 10 mins earlier

Does it actually complete the start-up process, or does it just turn over? Will it start now? Gotta give me more info, or I can't troubleshoot.

when the starter is engaged the engine is running but as soon as you let go of the switch so it can go back to the on position the engine turns off. It is completely running. Turn the switch and hold there and hit the gas and it will rev up...let it go and engine turns off.

same problem with my 90 si... without pressing the clutch in i turned it back and forth a few times until the lights come on when it the on position... started right back up quick fix for me but still know the problem is there

at first I was thinking pgm-fi main relay...but now i'm not so sure...

http://members.shaw.ca/palev/pgm-fi.gif

cuz as you can see, you can trace it thru fine..., you turn the key, the first relay gets it's power closes the battery switch and energizes the second relay, which in turn gets the fuel pump running, the starter switch (ie: on) is also run thru and back to the ecu... i'm just wondering if there is perhaps something wrong with the second relay wherby it's ONLY closing the switch to the fuel pump when the switch goes to ON, then when you release it - it cuts the pump (ie: Fuel) back off...
to the nay-sayers, any amount of corrosion or increased resistance in the wiring frmo the first relay to the second could perhaps not give the coil enough juice to close the switch (ie: 2nd relay), and only when the STARTER switch is engaged would the relay reluctantly close turning your fuel pump on...and obviously your fuel pump is running if you can rev the car when the switch is turned all the way on....

in any case - there is a simple way to check, with the ignition ON (not started but on), open your fuel cap, and listen to hear if your fuel pump is running.. if NOT then maybe just maybe i'm onto something.... (:

http://members.shaw.ca/palev/pgm-fi2.gif


or how about if that wire was broken outright?, or the resistor, or diode just prior to where i showed the break was broken/kaput! - i'm not sure how the starter itself is tied in, but imagine because of the current it draws it probably has it's direct connection to the bat? thru the start switch.

another easy way to test the continuity would be to use a multimeter and test the continuity between pins 3 and 8 of the pgm-fi relay - but i would check for the audible sound of the fuel pump first... because it's easier.

cheers.

well i fixed my problem...and here is how...i got in my car and this time when i turned the switch completely over it would not start at all just stutter and not turn over. So i did this again but gave it some gas and it ran and as soon as i let go of the switch so it could return to the "on" position it tryed to die again liek it had been but i gave it some more gas and a big puff of white smoke came out the back and it has been running fine ever since. Im thinking i may could have gotten bad gas w/ water in it or something? Maybe the cat was clogged up? im not real sure but it is working and running fine now.

hey good to know it's fixed, and that it was something so simple (not like my complex theorem haha) - thanks for reporting back on the issue - i think it helps everyone ((:

was it cold out side. my friend has a 98 lude and he cant get it to start if its cold. he is going to explore this weekend to find out what is up

I am having a problem with my 88 2.0 starting when its cold. The check engine light just came on and now it won't start in the cold. I think its a sensor but not sure which one. Any thoughts from your friend and his problem let me know.
Thanks
michael2468

fixed the prob... was the ignition switch removed plastic around steering wheel and steering wheel unscrewed the swith unplugged the other end put a new one in cost about 50$ time 30-60 minutes depending on the person i suppose.