Starter trouble?
#1
Starter trouble?
Sorry if this has already been covered somewhere and I've missed it, but my 08 FEH is coming up on its first birthday and we have an appointment this week to have a pesky starter problem looked at. Increasingly frequently, I have to crank the key four or five times to get my baby - um, the car, turned over. It doesn't seem to make much difference what the temp is outside, although I've noticed the problem a bit more in colder weather.
I remember reading here a while ago that this was some sort of computer issue. I mentioned that to my dealer the last time the precious - ahem, my car - was in the shop, but no avail yet.
Anybody got thoughts? I'd love to get this taken care of under warranty...
(I should really hang out here more often! Just found all kinds of cool stuff tooling around on the message forums...)
I remember reading here a while ago that this was some sort of computer issue. I mentioned that to my dealer the last time the precious - ahem, my car - was in the shop, but no avail yet.
Anybody got thoughts? I'd love to get this taken care of under warranty...
(I should really hang out here more often! Just found all kinds of cool stuff tooling around on the message forums...)
Last edited by likelite; 02-18-2008 at 08:01 PM. Reason: Kinda don't like UBB code...
#3
Re: Starter trouble?
It should be under warranty. EVERYTHING is covered for the first 3 years, and 36,000 miles. Are you past that already???
Anyhow, since your car does not have a traditional "starter" it sounds like a fuel delivery system problem, but heck, I'm no where near it, so I'm only guessing. Does it run smooth once it gets started?
How about when the car shuts off and on for EV mode at stoplights?
Starting after EV mode, is no different than starting the first time of the day with the key.
I think you have some long-time owners really wondering!
Keep us posted. -John
Anyhow, since your car does not have a traditional "starter" it sounds like a fuel delivery system problem, but heck, I'm no where near it, so I'm only guessing. Does it run smooth once it gets started?
How about when the car shuts off and on for EV mode at stoplights?
Starting after EV mode, is no different than starting the first time of the day with the key.
I think you have some long-time owners really wondering!
Keep us posted. -John
#4
Re: Starter trouble?
Car runs great once it starts, have no issues taking off from stoplights, etc. I really am drawing a blank as far as what's wrong with it - sometimes it really seems as though it's not going to start at all, requires five or six turns of the key, etc.
I just don't want to break something, just to start the car! This is the only issue I have with it, no other electrical problems or weirdo ghosts in the machine, etc.
It's not quite a year old yet. I'll let you know if my tech comes up with anything when I take the car in on Thursday.
I just don't want to break something, just to start the car! This is the only issue I have with it, no other electrical problems or weirdo ghosts in the machine, etc.
It's not quite a year old yet. I'll let you know if my tech comes up with anything when I take the car in on Thursday.
#6
Re: Starter trouble?
Ignition switch is certainly a candidate, although it sounds like the starter contact is making all the time if it's cranking but not starting. But there are probably multiple contacts in the switch assembly? Fuel delivery is another very distinct possiblity. Intermittent problems are hard to find.
An intermittent fuel cutoff inertia switch (shuts fuel pump off in a crash) would be another possibility. Good Luck, and we'll all be happy to hear the fix.
An intermittent fuel cutoff inertia switch (shuts fuel pump off in a crash) would be another possibility. Good Luck, and we'll all be happy to hear the fix.
#7
Re: Starter trouble?
It cannot be this. The start contacts only have to be closed for a short length of time and once that elapses, the computer has its instruction to start the ICE. If the computer does not get this instruction, the engine would not turn at all.
Very likely a sensor or solenoid problem.
Very likely a sensor or solenoid problem.
#9
Re: Starter trouble?
It cannot be this. The start contacts only have to be closed for a short length of time and once that elapses, the computer has its instruction to start the ICE. If the computer does not get this instruction, the engine would not turn at all.
Very likely a sensor or solenoid problem.
Very likely a sensor or solenoid problem.
That's why I said that the IGN switch, even though the engine turns over, cannot be ruled out. But like you said, it could be several other things, but notwithstanding all the bells and whisles on cars today, when it comes to starting the ICE, it still requires fuel mist, spark, and both arriving at the proper time.
#10
Re: Starter trouble?
the IGN switch has several contacts that distribute 12VDC power to various circuits, like the Fuel Pump as an example. The ON position before start command has to be part of the IGN switch; otherwise, you'd never get fuel delivery. A flakey contact here would allow the engine to crank, but no fuel pump