Starting issue

Born2bwild1191 · 10-22-2009, 02:27 PM

Recently, I've developed a problem with starting. It cranks and cranks and cranks, and eventually starts, but very slowly, like it barely makes it up to idle speed. I checked my battery, then went to autozone and had them check it to make sure. It's good. I did notice today after it eventually started that a belt was squeeling for like 10 seconds. This leads me to believe that it could possibly be the alternator belt? But I know the battery is charging, and none of my electronics are malfunctioning, even my giant sound system (not on when trying to start or assess the problem BTW) On the way home from autozone when i was pulling out from a red light, it started to die. It felt almost like i let the clutch out too fast, but i know I didn't. I had to give it a bbunch of gas to keep it going and it eventually started again. My ideas: alternator, belt, battery (but i guess i was proved wrong on this one?) Any help is appreciated....Thanks in advance

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

From what you're describing, it sounds like you need a tune-up - clean and gap the plugs, clean the rotor - or maybe buy new stuff if the old plugs, rotor and distributor cap are messed up badly. Potentially new plug wires.

If your plugs and all look good, then maybe it's the injectors. Try a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in maybe 1/4 tank of gas and see if that clears it up.

The other - the whine at start up could be a loose belt (alternator) or it could be the waterpump.

Start by adjusting the tension on the alt belt and see if the whine goes away. If it doesn't go away, have someone else start the car and listen with a stethoscope under the hood to see if you can pinpoint the noise.

A piece of 1/2" plastic tubing (2-3 ft) works good as a stethoscope. Put one end to your ear and move the other end from one area to another (without touching metal) and see where it seems the whining noise is loudest.

Born2bwild1191 · 10-22-2009, 04:59 PM

I'll check out the plugs tomorrow. I did replace them last year though. Probably stop in at the local foreign parts store and get a fuel filter, wires, rotor, and cap tomorrow. Thanks for your help, wasn't really thinking along those lines but it makes a lot of sense now that i think about it.