The past week or two, my car has been struggling to start, and I'm starting to think it's getting worse. It usually won't start if I try to crank it normally, and requires me to pedal it pretty aggressively and will crank after a second or two. Like I said, I think this is getting worse, and it seems like each morning it struggles a little longer. I've tried pumping the gas before cranking it and this doesn't seem to make a difference either.

On top of this, the RPM gauge has been showing an idle of 0 RPM (yes, ZERO). When I'm driving it, the gauge moves up and down, but never seems to get out of the 1000-1500 range or below.

Any suggestions? I ran a code reader twice (two separate days) and no codes came up either time. I was thinking I may need to clean the IAC valve, but I wasn't sure if that would contribute to the hard starts as well.

 

Not sure I understand the problem. Title says trouble cranking... are you saying the engine wont crank? or that it cranks over several times before starting?

 

Sorry, I tried to edit that to "trouble starting". It struggles and then finally starts up, but requires me to aggressively pedal it to get there. Runs fine once it starts up usually, aside from the weird idling/RPM issues noted

 

Gotcha. How old are the spark plugs? they can cause a delayed start for sure. only last about 30k on our rigs.

 

Not sure that they've been changed recently. I can't remember the last time they were to be honest

 

I would change them, its not expensive. See if it helps your problem. You can pull one and check condition...but if you think its been 30k since they were changed...I'd just do it

 

Do you think that makes sense with no codes coming in on the code reader? Not sure if that would've come through

 

Yes I do...there isn't really a code for low spark. Pull a couple of them and look, post a pic here. If the electrode is worn down to the nub, some cylinders might not be sparking much at all...are you getting misfire? rough idle?

 

I don't think I'm getting any misfiring. The idle isn't completely smooth, but I wouldn't call it rough. It's a 96 with around 150k miles, so I figure that's to be expected.

The only other thing I've noticed is sometimes when I come to a complete stop, it feels like the brakes are stuck and I have to wait for them to unstick. When this happens, I can let off the gas completely and the car will crawl forward until I feel it unstick and it'll return to normal. I was thinking this was a brake issue, but lately I've wondered if it could be something else. Not sure if that changes anything

 

150k on a reasonably well maintained motor will not alone cause a 'non-smooth' idle. mine has 186k and purrs like new {as he knocks wood like crazy}... TBH, I don't think your RPM gauge, pumping the pedal or the brake issue have anything to do with the delayed start. Lets see what the plugs look like, then go from there.

 

Thanks. I'll start there and see what I can find out!

 

Let us know. Your fix might help the next guy

 

If you cant remember its last tuneup, it probably needs it. Clean the grounds while youre at it. If youre lucky thats all it needs, but the need to "peddle it aggressively" for it to start sounds like lack of air or fuel. Could be a sticking IAC or even a dirty throttle body. I pull the throttle body out, and then remove the IAC, TPS, and the MAP sensor when i do that stuff. You say pumping the gas doesnt always work. Is the pump priming? If so, whats the pressure when it primes?

For the brakes, when were they last serviced? Not just shoes and pads, but the rubber hoses.

 

I'll have to see what the pressure is next time I get in. I can hear the pump run for a second or two and then stop each time I turn the key before trying to start. There was a time before where I was having an issue and had to let it prime 2-3 times before starting cold each time, but it's been fine for the most part until recently. Sorry I don't have more details off the top of my head.

Not sure about the brakes. They were checked by a mechanic recently when I thought they needed to be serviced, but they said everything looked fine there. Not as concerned about that for the time being anyway, they're not an issue maybe 95% of the time.

 

You could also have an issue with the fuel pump check valve, which can cause the delayed start. Try this: without cranking the engine, turn the key to the 'run' position for 3 seconds, then back to the 'off' position. Do this 3 or 4 times, then start it and see if it starts quicker.

My 98 has the check valve issue, and it starts much quicker if I do this. After it has been started once, it will start easily without doing this. If it sits for an hour or more, I do it again. I could repair it, but this works for me.