Starting problem and other

[Jeffheb91]

My car (acura el 1999) has trouble starting, the motor turns but it takes at least two cranks (when im lucky) to start but its getting colder and it takes even more times to start and that's if the batterie doesnt drain in the process and then i get stuck boosting it. After the car starts it acts weird for the next few minutes of DRIVING, when i drive and then stop the car turns off. After a few minutes the car is fine and starts normal unless i park it for a few hours. It also idles bizarly sometimes when i start it but not every time. Any ideas? Im thinking about getting an exagerated crazy baterie so that i dont get stuck this winter but this doesnt take care of the motor having a hard time starting and the problems that fallow for the next few minutes after. Or maybe a new batterie wont fix anything? Any ideas? Anything i can try to do myself? Im a nooby but this is how we learn right?

[shorod]

My first suspect is an engine coolant temperature sensor that is causing the computer to think the engine is a temperature drastically different than it is and mucking with the air/fuel ratio, causing the hard start and poor idle. If you determine that is not the problem, then I'd suspect the Intake Air Temperature sensor. And if you're able to rule that out, then I'd check for vacuum leaks, something that is likely to cause a gap when it shrinks cold. If you have a fuel pressure tester, check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail to confirm that it is within spec. You might need to visit the model-specific forum to get the spec value.

If the battery is in poor enough condition, it certainly could cause driveability issues so if you plan to keep the car and are going to put a battery in it anyway, you could always start there. I agree though, your symptoms do sound like more than just the battery are your issue.

-Rod

[vgames33]

Ive seen a few Acuras with broken ground wires that would cause intermittent stalling. Your problem sounds temperature sensor related though.

[DeltaP]

Scan for DTC's? Battery fully charged,cables clean? I'd start with checking fuel pressures, replace fuel filter and then cleaning the IAC valve. HTH