coil pack maintenace

[northstar1958]

Gentlemen:

I have a 97 pa that runs good with 145,000 miles. In its younger days, you touched the key and it fired instantly. Now its takes a few seconds longer. I've changed plugs, wires, fuel filter, checked the fuel pressure, etc...Just wondering if changing the coil packs out would do any good? Is this preventative maintenace, or just a waste of money? Thanks

Northstar

[josh8966]

at 145k, new coils wouldn't hurt. But, if its starting up sluggish, its more then likely something in the starter (or the selnoid that engages the starter.) Id suggest taking it too a parts store that offers free in car starter testing. Have you replaced the battery?

Josh

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by northstar1958

Gentlemen:

I have a 97 pa that runs good with 145,000 miles. In its younger days, you touched the key and it fired instantly. Now its takes a few seconds longer. I've changed plugs, wires, fuel filter, checked the fuel pressure, etc...Just wondering if changing the coil packs out would do any good? Is this preventative maintenace, or just a waste of money? Thanks

Northstar

Try turning the key to ON for 3-4 seconds. You'll hear the pump stop in the tank. Then OFF and turn it back to ON. Do this 3 times. Then start the car. If it consistently fires up quickly, it means your fuel pump check valve is not holding pressure in the system when it's off like when it was a young puppy.

If pressure has bled down such as overnight, when you crank it takes a while for the pressure to build up and let the injectors work properly. Turning on the pump 3 times primes the system back up to full pressure.

[northstar1958]

imidazo:

I'll try that. It seems the longest start up is after it sits overnight, seems to fire up pretty fast if started throught the day. So, if this turns out to be the problem (and its not that much of a problem, just like that fine tuned instant start feature), will a new fuel pump solve the problem? The fuel pump has lasted 145,000 miles/ 11 years.

Northstar.

Josh...its not a starter problem, it turns over great, it just doesn't have that instant start up like it used to have. The car runs excellent, just wondering what i could do to get that "instant fireup" back without changing alot of parts that might not need to be changed.

[Jrs3800]

On these cars, it can be one of a couple of thing... It could be the fuel pressure regulator or the Check ball in the fuel pump...