SL 2001 not starting while engine is still warm

[Aquahutch]

Hi. Thanks for any assistance on this.

Lately my car has had some problems starting when I turn the key, but it doesn't appear to involve the battery. Turning the key all the way, I get all lights and radio, etc., but the engine doesn't even attempt to start. I don't hear any clicking noises of any kind as well.

This only happens after I've been driving it for a little while. In other words, it will always start fine when the engine is cold. But say I drive home from work, stop the car for a quick grocery run, and then try to start the car again, I get my symptoms. I can usually just wait a little while (10 min or so) and it will start fine.

I will also mention that I've had engine temperature problems for a while as well. The engine temp gets hotter than it normally did, especially while idle. The temp meter goes up about half way. Also, the A/C shuts down and I only get warm air in the vents while idle. The A/C will kick back on once I get moving down the road, and the engine temp goes down slightly.

The engine temp problem I've been putting off, but the starter issue is new. Is there a computer control that keeps the car from starting if it senses that the engine is still too hot?

Thanks.

[ksion15]

your starting problem is either the ignition switch or starter. when it happens, you can check the small terminal on the starter for battery voltage w/ the key in the start position. if 12v is present, switch is working and starters bad.
cooling/ac problem sounds like cooling fan motor. check the motor for good ground and power. if both are good, replace the motor.

[wrparks]

As far as the starting goes, I'd bet it's the starter. I've seen similar things happen often. One trick is to take something and tap the starter a few times and it often cranks right up, though I'm not sure why. The AC/Temp issue sounds unrelated both to each other and to the starting problem. The AC is probably related to the low engine speed, and not the temperature. Have you checked the thermostat? It's cheap and can't hurt anything.

[ksion15]

if the cooling fan is not on, the engine will overheat at idle.
if the cooling fan is not on, ac high side pressure will rise due to no airflow through the condensor. this in turn causes the compressor to cut off.(until pressures drop back down)

both symptoms go away while driving. because air is flowing through both the condensor and radiator while in motion. when you stop, no airflow.

[catesja]

This is neither a starter problem, ignition problem, or battery. You my friend have a bad coolant temp sending unit. This will trick the computer into thinking it has overheated and not allow it to start. I had this same problem on my '98, and after having the starter pulled and tested, the battery replaced and ignition checked, the darn thing would still not work when warm. I had started to notice the temp guage acting weird. Pulled the sensor out and put a new one in, and problem solved.