Starting problem
Starting problem This might be a stupid question but my car sometimes feels like it's not very powerful cranking over when I start it. Almost as if it's starting but doesn't feel like it. If I had to describe it, I'd say soft almost, like it's not going to start but does, and doesn't make the "not-gonna-start noise". Anyone else experiance this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,638
Likes: 2,565
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
You mean the cranking feels slow/soft, or when it actually starts it barely catches, then sputters up to normal idle? Is the issue more common on cold starts or warm starts? And what about outside temps, does that make any difference?
And how does it run once it's started? Any other issues, or just while cranking/first firing up?
Most of my cars don't start exactly the same every time, including the Camaro. Sometimes slightly longer cranking when cold, and sometimes it seems to kinda "halfway" catch while cranking, so I release the key, then a split second after I release the key it fully roars to life, and runs/idles strong and perfectly normal. Is that what you have experianced? So long as it jumps right up to a strong idle, I wouldn't be too worried about a little abnormality during cranking...especially if it only happens on cold starts. This happens to me once in a while on a cold start. My Camaro sits a lot, anywhere from a week to a month between restarts so I'm sure that's part of the reason.
Weather, how long since the last restart, and engine temp at startup all play a role. But even when conditions seem identicle, not every startup will be exactly the same.
And how does it run once it's started? Any other issues, or just while cranking/first firing up?
Most of my cars don't start exactly the same every time, including the Camaro. Sometimes slightly longer cranking when cold, and sometimes it seems to kinda "halfway" catch while cranking, so I release the key, then a split second after I release the key it fully roars to life, and runs/idles strong and perfectly normal. Is that what you have experianced? So long as it jumps right up to a strong idle, I wouldn't be too worried about a little abnormality during cranking...especially if it only happens on cold starts. This happens to me once in a while on a cold start. My Camaro sits a lot, anywhere from a week to a month between restarts so I'm sure that's part of the reason.
Weather, how long since the last restart, and engine temp at startup all play a role. But even when conditions seem identicle, not every startup will be exactly the same.
Last edited by RPM WS6; Dec 1, 2005 at 05:53 PM.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,638
Likes: 2,565
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
If it's just the cranking when cold then it might be the battery getting old. If you still have the stock battery, being that it's 5+ years old it could probably stand to be replaced.
