Help with Starting

[tums725]

Have a malibu with 80K. Was getting hard to start once in a while - cranked 3-5 seconds before starting. Sometimes it started fine, and other times (about 1/2 the time) it didn't. So I changed the air filter, gas filter, plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Started like a champ for a couple weeks....and then back to the old symptoms. Randomly starts great, and randomly cranks 3-5 seconds before starting. There is no pattern either - cold start, warm start, short trip, long trip, etc. When it does start, it runs great, accelerates and idles just fine. Any ideas? Or time to go to the mechanic? Thanks.

[superchuckles]

you haven't given many details about the car, but - since it's only got 80k on it, i assume it's newer & fuel injected - & if it is, then try this - - when you get ready to start the car, turn the key to the on position, & then wait about a second or two before actually turning it to the start position. this will give the fuel pump time to reach full pressure before you crank the motor.

[tums725]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have tried that in the past, but no difference. Good news though.....I may have fixed the problem. I 'accidently' found that the negative cable on the battery was a little loose. Since tightening it down, it has been starting great every time. But then again, that had happened before when I tuned it up, etc. I don't know why it came loose and hoping that is really what has been wrong all of this time. It sure would explain why the problem has been intermittent. Anyway, time will tell. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[victimizati0n]

Originally Posted by superchuckles

you haven't given many details about the car, but - since it's only got 80k on it, i assume it's newer & fuel injected - & if it is, then try this - - when you get ready to start the car, turn the key to the on position, & then wait about a second or two before actually turning it to the start position. this will give the fuel pump time to reach full pressure before you crank the motor.

it obvously isnt that new if it has a distrib. cap and rotor