Starting Problem...

Tried searching, but nothing came up as quite the same?

Anyway, CA20E '85. Seems like it does not matter whether the car is hot/warm/cold for this, but when I go to start it, sometimes it turns over and over for several seconds before it will start (it turns over quickly, not slow or anything), and then it starts? And other times it starts within a few turns of the motor?

I'm not quite sure what it could be???

*edit* Seems to have gotten a bit worse possibly? Last night it seemed to take a little longer, spinning over pretty fast.

This post has been edited by T-Roy31: Aug 16 2008, 09:31 PM

T-Roy31 @ Aug 16 2008, 05:14 PM
Tried searching, but nothing came up as quite the same?
Anyway, CA20E '85. Seems like it does not matter whether the car is hot/warm/cold for this, but when I go to start it, sometimes it turns over and over for several seconds before it will start (it turns over quickly, not slow or anything), and then it starts? And other times it starts within a few turns of the motor?

I'm not quite sure what it could be???

*edit* Seems to have gotten a bit worse possibly? Last night it seemed to take a little longer, spinning over pretty fast.

Alright well I went out and checked the voltage according to the dash.

Key in the "on" position - A hair under 12v
While cranking engine over - ~10v
Running - A hair under 14v

The other day when I had the car on the lift to drain my trans fluid, I noticed the ground to the starter ( I believe it was to the starter IIRC) was looking kind of like it was getting a little loosish (the cable was kind of at a 90* angle from the ring terminal itself, might have been a little frayed?) I never paid much attention to it so I can't quite remember.

I'm going to have the car up on the hoist again tomorrow I think during work because something is making noise in the rear... I'll have to check out the ground again.

Today I started it the first time and it started good. Had it running and driving around (trying out the new exhaust that was put on), and started it 3 or so more times after that. And each time it started good, so it's a random thing???

well that eliminates the alternator

hmmm yeah I'd say check your Starter grounds

I'd go thru and redo the grounds and check to make sure that the pos battery cable to the starter isn't going at the terminal end.

200sxkitcar @ Aug 17 2008, 05:19 AM
I'd go thru and redo the grounds and check to make sure that the pos battery cable to the starter isn't going at the terminal end.

fuckn lol at vid!

Honestly too, if its cranking over good, also check fuel. Remove the vac line going to the fuel pressure regulator (on the fuel rail) and make sure there's no gas in the line (leaking FPR). Also, connect up a fuel pressure gauge teed in line after the filter. Start the car, yeah, shut it off after awhile, and observe gauge. Notice how fast the pressure drops. idk the spec off of the top of my head, but if you're loosing pressure real quick then its taking the motor awhile to start waiting for the pressure to return- whereas sometimes, if its not been real long, or whatever leaks the pressure out, doesn't- then your car starts right up.

My ca20 starts on maybe the second or third revolution, the ignition switch I basically just bump it to start, and then its on, more like an on/off type of deal rather than crank and crank situation.

Check this stuff out, and let us know how it goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Exactly what Sterling said. It is possible that your pressure regulator is bleeding off. What I always used to do is put the key to on...wait for the pump to turn off then start it. Started right off the bat EVERY time...other wise if you don't then you are cranking while the fuel system is still priming...BUT the times it starts quickly could be when you've left the car for only a couple hours...so there is still residual pressure in the lines...

the fuel pump has a check valve which keeps preasure in the injector lines for days,if this valve leaks the pump must build up 28lbs before the eng will start ,you need to put an inline fuel preasure guage to check this.