96 cirrus LXI sometimes hard start

[burned]

The girlfriend has one of these cars. New to me. Sometimes it is hard to start. I have checked the charging system and that checks out ok. I did notice that when it is hard to start the rpm gauge goes wacky for a couple of seconds after it starts. I am thinking something wrong with the crank sensor. Any other ideas? I also noticed that the "absolute throttle position" is reading 16% at idle with my scan tool. Maybe cleaning the throttle body and further testing of the TPS with a meter is in order.

[Mx5guy]

Ok while a throttle body cleaning can go great lengths, what are the fault codes if any, is this the 4 or 6 cylinders? RPM going wacky could be a pointer of an ECM going south. I suggest more testing, code retrieving and go on clean throttle body. Good luck buddy. :-)

[burned]

Its a 2.5L V6, there are no DTC's. The ECU gets the RPM from the crank or cam sensor. I think those sensors would more likely be a culprit. I have heard oil can sometimes containment the crank sensor. The tach only freaks out on start up.

[Mx5guy]

If you have no codes I will start suspecting gas delivery problems like a seriously clogged fuel filter or a fuel pump going south, I would test fuel pump pressure at this point. Sensors are completely ruled out at this point, if the diagnostic system OBDII in the car is working properly a faulty sensor will trigger a code ;-) Good luck.

[burned]

I was thinking of changing the fuel filter as well as the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Fuel tank has to be dropped to access the fuel filter. What an idiotic setup! Thx

[Mx5guy]

Originally Posted by burned

I was thinking of changing the fuel filter as well as the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Fuel tank has to be dropped to access the fuel filter. What an idiotic setup! Thx

Yep changing all those things as a tune up won't hurt either, Idiotic setup in that fuel filter? yep I give u that one the only car I've seen with such a complicated filter setup. Good luck !