Starting issues

[redheddude222]

My brother's DX has had an issue since he bought it a little over a year ago. We swapped a BP engine, trans, harness, and ECU into the car and the problem still exists.

The car is difficult to start when the engine is cold, taking several tries to start. When it's cold outside, it cranks but won't start at all. Every couple of days, he'll be driving and the car just dies. The radio and lights will stay on, but the engine shuts off. When this happens, it takes a few minutes of trying to get it to restart.

I've replaced the coil and the fuel pump on the car, along with spark plugs and wires. I've traced all wires in the harness and none are cracked ot broken. What else could cause the random dying and no-start?

[therieldeal]

when the ignition switch went on my old EGT i had some weird symptoms. one day i went out and it would crank and crank and crank but never start.

maybe yours could be an intermittent ign switch problem?

[redheddude222]

I had thought that, but didn't think the temperature would matter if that was the case. Maybe it's just coincidence that it does it when it's cold out? I'll have to check that tonight I guess...

[chrmar]

My MX-6 does the same thing; when its really cold out it takes forever to start. The only way I've found to get around this is to have a second ignition coil in the car and I keep swapping them out. For some reason, a coil that is only a couple of degrees warmer will start the car.

[redheddude222]

I've tried different coils and they all do the same thing. All of the coils tested within spec according to the FSM. When the temp below 40* in the mornings it won't start at all. I'm going to try swapping ignition switches, but all other suggestions are still welcome.

[redheddude222]

Last night:

*Replaced ignition switch with known good part (took mine out and tried it in his, put his in mine. :p ). Still started the same, and mine started fine. Guess that wasn't the problem.
*Seafoamed the engine through the intake, and put some in the gas tank. Cleared out a TON of sh!t and made it run better and easier to start.

Since replacing the fuel pump, the car hasn't died while driving once. I'm fairly certain this solved that problem.

The Seafoam cleared a ton of stuff out of the intake mani, Like I said. I ran a bunch through the IAC valve as well, and I think that made all the difference on his hard start. I'm pretty sure it was so dirty it was almost clogged or not working. It starts on the first crank now (when it's warm enough).

Went out this morning and tried to start it. It cranked over real slow, but didn't even try to fire. I'm pretty sure a bad battery may be at fault for this. I opened the hood right after cranking and could smell a pretty strong, I don't know what to call it, "electrical smell". It was coming from the battery, so I'm sure it's just old and doesn't have the cold cranking Amps to spark hot enough in this 40* and below weather.

[redheddude222]

Just heard from my brother. He replaced the battery and now it starts first try. Let's hope that's still true tomorrow morning.

[chrmar]

Man, that's not even cold out. My MX-6 doesn't start getting pissy until its -20°C out. But she won't be on the road this winter so I don't have to worry about it.

[redheddude222]

Man, that's not even cold out. My MX-6 doesn't start getting pissy until its -20°C out. But she won't be on the road this winter so I don't have to worry about it.

Yeah, you're a little further north than we are. :p

BTW, that's 40*F, not sure what that is in *C.

[chrmar]

Its about 4°C. Balmy.

[jumpncrash]

yeah, nice working on the car outside weather
See its 6 now, I think I'm gonna go work on the car

[1992tracerlts]

Man, that's not even cold out. My MX-6 doesn't start getting pissy until its -20°C out. But she won't be on the road this winter so I don't have to worry about it.

what is -20 in Fahrenheit?

[chrmar]

-4f

[1992tracerlts]

-4f

weaksauce lol tracer starts when its -30f no problem.

[crazycanadian]

fuel filter?