Odd Starting Issues

[Holaday1185]

1997 PA
118,000 miles
3.8 L

Quick question all:

I've noticed over the past few weeks, as it has gotten colder, that I'm having a few small issues with my car starting. Here are the issues. Sometimes when starting, I'll turn the key and it won't automatically fire, rather it will wait 1 second and then turn over. I'm not too concerned with this,but every time it happens, on the dash it says unknown driver and the trip mileage resets. Also re-setting are my MPG and fuel left. As mentioned before, this does not happen every time the car is started. I'm slightly confused with the issues here. Battery seems to be providing the correct voltage. All help appreciated.

Thanks,

DH

[stripe]

Originally Posted by Holaday1185

1997 PA
118,000 miles
3.8 L

Quick question all:

I've noticed over the past few weeks, as it has gotten colder, that I'm having a few small issues with my car starting. Here are the issues. Sometimes when starting, I'll turn the key and it won't automatically fire, rather it will wait 1 second and then turn over. I'm not too concerned with this,but every time it happens, on the dash it says unknown driver and the trip mileage resets. Also re-setting are my MPG and fuel left. As mentioned before, this does not happen every time the car is started. I'm slightly confused with the issues here. Battery seems to be providing the correct voltage. All help appreciated.

Thanks,

DH

It sounds to me like an electrical problem.
Most likely if you clean your battery contacts it will fix it.
Each time you start it, with that delay, you arc the bad ground a bit more.
I say that because your dash only resets when power is lost.

It could even the ground to the starter.Or the power wire to it.

Cheers
Viper1

[Holaday1185]

I'll take a look at the terminals tomorrow and give them a good cleaning. What type of cleaner do you recommend? Also, not to sound like an idiot, but where might I find the main ground to check to make sure it is properly connected. Thanks,

DH

[Holaday1185]

Never mind. I answered the previously mentioned questions. Question though --- why does this only happen after leaving the car parked for an hour or two. If I start the car, turn it off, and then re-start it the problem does not occur.

[stripe]

Originally Posted by Holaday1185

Never mind. I answered the previously mentioned questions. Question though --- why does this only happen after leaving the car parked for an hour or two. If I start the car, turn it off, and then re-start it the problem does not occur.

My guess is that when it is running the bad connection are warm.
When you turn it off the connections cool down.(separate a bit)

Alternator pretty much powers the car when it is running.Check and clean the wire to the starter.(make sure it is unhooked at batterey when you do this.)

Also it maybe battery is not at full charge?(bad connection)

Cheers
Viper1

[Holaday1185]

I'll take apart everything tomorrow, clean all connections, and look for anything unusual. One of my friends seems to think that the problem deals with the cars' security and the passkey ignition. Not too sure. Will keep ya informed.

Thanks

[HotZ28]

Just a few tips before you start disconnecting battery cables. Be sure the climate control is turned to the OFF position (with engine running) before removing anything and be sure to remove the negative (-) cable first.

[Holaday1185]

Thanks for the advice. Update: cleaned both terminals this morning along with all connecting wires. After cleaning, I started it and the same problem arose. To ad a few more details --- upon starting, the dash displays "unknown driver" the tach and speedometer both spike a bit before the car finally starts and my trip odometer displays 0.0 miles. Note, however, if the car is immediately turned off and restarted, this problem does not happen. It is usually only after the car sits for an hour or two does this problem happen. And, as noted above, this has only been happening since it started getting cold outside.

[stripe]

Originally Posted by Holaday1185

Thanks for the advice. Update: cleaned both terminals this morning along with all connecting wires. After cleaning, I started it and the same problem arose. To ad a few more details --- upon starting, the dash displays "unknown driver" the tach and speedometer both spike a bit before the car finally starts and my trip odometer displays 0.0 miles. Note, however, if the car is immediately turned off and restarted, this problem does not happen. It is usually only after the car sits for an hour or two does this problem happen. And, as noted above, this has only been happening since it started getting cold outside.

Did you make sure the battery was at full charge?

Cheers
Stripe

[Holaday1185]

Ha. Funny you should ask. I went to Advance Auto Parts yesterday to have my battery load tested, along with my alternator and starter. Side note- that hand-held piece of equipment they use is way cool. Anyway, the battery registered 12.6 V, which according to the test, indicates that "my batter fails to meet industry accepted standards." The alternator and starter both checked out fine. I got home, removed the battery, filled it with distilled water, and put it on a trickle charge. I then put the battery back in today with little to no change. I'm definitely thinking that I need to buy a new battery soon. I've noticed that my battery has two posts per positive and negative charges. Is this because the PA has so many accessories? Just curious. Thanks.

-DH

[stripe]

Originally Posted by Holaday1185

Ha. Funny you should ask. I went to Advance Auto Parts yesterday to have my battery load tested, along with my alternator and starter. Side note- that hand-held piece of equipment they use is way cool. Anyway, the battery registered 12.6 V, which according to the test, indicates that "my batter fails to meet industry accepted standards." The alternator and starter both checked out fine. I got home, removed the battery, filled it with distilled water, and put it on a trickle charge. I then put the battery back in today with little to no change. I'm definitely thinking that I need to buy a new battery soon. I've noticed that my battery has two posts per positive and negative charges. Is this because the PA has so many accessories? Just curious. Thanks.

-DH

Front/side terminal's?
Multi-use battery.lol

Cheers
Viper1

[Jrs3800]

If the battery dies that quick you may have a Cell going bad..