I went to start the car up to go to work and,...

overkill · 12-17-2002, 08:44 PM

it hesitated to start up. It was very cold out and the car was sitting the whole day. usually it takes several cranks to get her going. Once she is running shes as smooth as anything. Also, once in a while here and there,... while trying to start her from a cold state the engione will stop quickly like it siezed or something while cranking her over. It sounds the the starter though, like the starter is siezing or something. I dont know if something is making the starter stop like that. If I try again, most of the time the engine will start right upo after that. Last night the starter stop cranking the engine twice. But after that she engine started right up and yet ran smooth. Are these signs of a starter on it's way out? Any suggestions why my car is hesitating to start up? What could it be? How long would a car have to sit for the cylinder walls to dry up from the oil settling? My injectors are atomizing well. Tiny leak in fuel system relieving the fuel rail of pressure? Bad starter? What?

Cebu · 12-18-2002, 04:16 AM

When the battery condition is faulty or not holding a charge it may register 12 or 12.5 volts, yet the cranking Amperage is too low to properly power the starter (especially when cold or in cold weather). Have the battery check on bench load. Many auto parts stores provide this service. The 41-series batteries fit 944 if you are looking for non OEM Part Numbers (perhaps,41-4 or 41-5).

ch944 · 12-18-2002, 07:05 AM

I had the same symptoms and a cleaning and or adjustment of the speed & reference sensors solved the problem. A ***** to start in the morning and would stop dead like a seized motor then turn the key again and she would start. The stopping was usually a sign that the next attempt she would start. Also if the tach is doing nothing while trying to start she wont start. what is the tach doing while this is going on?

ch944

overkill · 12-18-2002, 02:57 PM

When I crank her the tach is moving. Where is the speed reference sensor?

seb928s · 12-18-2002, 03:24 PM

It's on the top of the flywheel there are two of them there they pick up the marks on the flywheel for the timing. I have two for sale one used and one brand new I will give you a 30 day warrenty on the new one same goes with the used one if you want it that is if that is the problem. Email me seb928s@ij.net if you are interested.

ch944 · 03:51 PM

If your tach is moving while cranking then I would say the sensors are working. Check the connections. They can get cruddy. Cleaning the sensor wont hurt. The can get crapped up from the clutch dust and oily if your rear main leaks. I'll warn you they are a ***** to get out if they a frozen in the sensor bracket. Like Cebu says if your battery is weak she will give you the same problem. I read somewhere that the ignition requires a minimum voltage of 11 volts to fire. I could be off on the 11 volts but around there. Bad or dirty battery cables too. Check the connections on the engine temp sensor too. It's under the intake boot. BTW I cleaned my reference sensors but that didn't solve anything. I ended up replacing both. And the hard start problem was only when the outside temp was freezing or below and once the car started it would start fine for the rest of the day till the next cold morning.

ch944

overkill · 12-18-2002, 05:39 PM

Well, the car has the hardest time trying to start after she sat outside the whole night. It's not that bad when when I go to start her up after work where she sits in the belly of a parking garage. It not as cold down there.

overkill · 12-18-2002, 07:58 PM

SEB, I tried to email you but it wouldnt bo through. How much you want for them? Also, I think it is my battery too. Check it out. I went to start the car about 2 hours ago and when i was cranking the engine the needle for the battery gauge was just about 10 and the red light was on/ flickering. When the car is running the needle sits between 10 and 12. Also, the started stop / seized again. But it was clear that there was a loss of power. I have to get a new battery. Cranking the engine tonight was sluggish.

Makis · 12-19-2002, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by overkill
When the car is running the needle sits between 10 and 12. Also, the started stop / seized again.

Careful Overkill here, if the battery is dead but the car is running the voltage should normally be more like 14V. Having only 12V when the engine is running you either have a very low charge battery, a weak alternator, or both.

overkill · 12-19-2002, 05:34 AM

Hmmm, I'm going to be selling the car soon anyways. I mean,... as long as it's nothing major the new owner can take care of that. Thats nothing major.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Overkill: FWIW: In the cold, my S2 needs a bit of coaxing to get started. Don't forget: at 3.0 liters of displacement, you need a lot of cranking power to turn her over (same applies to 2.5 liters). Cold mornings make for hard starts.

That's why I keep my S2 in the garage!

-Z.

overkill · 12-19-2002, 05:50 AM

True,...

I dont have the luxury of a full size garage

Dougster · 12-19-2002, 09:37 AM

Yep, a garage is worth its weight in Gold...well almost! ha ha

overkill · 12-19-2002, 12:22 PM

God, if I could only convince mother that the wall in the garage is useless. I would have that thing down in 2.3 seconds

overkill · 12-20-2002, 02:55 AM

Yo, I made a mistake,... the car when running maintains the battery between 12 - 14. The battery stays at 14 as long as I dont turn on the radio

I have to turn off the radio when I shut the car down so that my system doesnt eat power on ignition. I have to see if I am even using the right battery. I noticed a couple of nights ago the the starter was sluggish right before it stopped. Plus, this hesitation was did not exist when I first got the car. When I first got the car it was warm out.

Makis · 12-20-2002, 03:08 AM

Just the radio should not make the voltage drop at all, unless you have 2000W radio ofcourse. Have the engine running turn all the electrics on including the window demister and then observe the voltage. Idealy you should take the voltage with a voltmeter. If the voltage is still above 13V then your alternator should be fine and your battery will be suspect. Make sure the battery cables are securely fastened just in case. Best of luck.

overkill · 12-20-2002, 06:42 AM

Ok, will try that,... later