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Recently (this past week), my car has begun taking several attempts to start. The engine won't turn over. When it doesn't it revs almost as if I were pressing the gas and brake at the same time. Sometimes it will start on the first attempt, sometimes it will take 2 or 3 or 4. There's no discernible pattern that I've found, it has nothing to do with the cold. Today, the coldest day of winter thus far, I was able to start it one attempt, although later it took 3. The other day when it was 50 degrees out it took 5 tries.
My main concern is how likely is this to be a very expensive repair. And is there any idea of what could be cause or are there multiple possible causes?
The car is a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL, 6 cyl. engine.
Turn the key all the way to the ON position and leave it there for a few seconds, you'll hear the fuel pump start. This gives it a chance to build up to the necessary pressure, and it gives the computer a chance to assess temperatures and adjust itself. Just a few seconds is all that is needed, then crank it to start the engine. If it starts up faster this way, you may have a fuel pressure problem. There's a lot of variables here, especially with a 22 yr old car, like dirty throttle body, dirty or bad Mass Air Flow Sensor, badly worn spark plugs, leaking fuel pressure regulator, bad coils, or the computer itself is on the way out. You'll probably have to bring it somewhere and have them take a good look at it. Could even be as simple as a bad vacuum leak somewhere, PCV valve or something else. Could be bad gas, clogged fuel filter, spark plug wires, has any of these things ever been changed or done before?
By the way, under the throttle body is a short coolant system hose that is hard to see, and many people don't know about until it fails. If they're removing the throttle body, have them replace it CAREFULLY, because it connects to a metal pipe that if forced, will leak where it's mounting clamp is welded to it. The metal pipe isn't expensive and is available, if needed, and so is the one quick-connect associated with it.
Good luck, feel free to ask any other questions. I'm far from very knowlegable, but having some experience with these cars, I'll be glad to advise you any way I can.
Turn the key all the way to the ON position and leave it there for a few seconds, you'll hear the fuel pump start. This gives it a chance to build up to the necessary pressure, and it gives the computer a chance to assess temperatures and adjust itself. Just a few seconds is all that is needed, then crank it to start the engine. If it starts up faster this way, you may have a fuel pressure problem. There's a lot of variables here, especially with a 22 yr old car, like dirty throttle body, dirty or bad Mass Air Flow Sensor, badly worn spark plugs, leaking fuel pressure regulator, bad coils, or the computer itself is on the way out. You'll probably have to bring it somewhere and have them take a good look at it. Could even be as simple as a bad vacuum leak somewhere, PCV valve or something else. Could be bad gas, clogged fuel filter, spark plug wires, has any of these things ever been changed or done before?
By the way, under the throttle body is a short coolant system hose that is hard to see, and many people don't know about until it fails. If they're removing the throttle body, have them replace it CAREFULLY, because it connects to a metal pipe that if forced, will leak where it's mounting clamp is welded to it. The metal pipe isn't expensive and is available, if needed, and so is the one quick-connect associated with it.
Good luck, feel free to ask any other questions. I'm far from very knowlegable, but having some experience with these cars, I'll be glad to advise you any way I can.
A trick I did on a 86 Buick was turn the key as bolded above. Than turn the key off, wait 10 seconds and turn the key on again, wait a few seconds and start. It give the pump another chance to pressurise the system.
Recently (this past week), my car has begun taking several attempts to start. The engine won't turn over. When it doesn't it revs almost as if I were pressing the gas and brake at the same time. Sometimes it will start on the first attempt, sometimes it will take 2 or 3 or 4. There's no discernible pattern that I've found, it has nothing to do with the cold. Today, the coldest day of winter thus far, I was able to start it one attempt, although later it took 3. The other day when it was 50 degrees out it took 5 tries.
My main concern is how likely is this to be a very expensive repair. And is there any idea of what could be cause or are there multiple possible causes?
The car is a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL, 6 cyl. engine.
EDIT: Forgot to say, it has 102,000 miles on it.
About 15 plus years ago, I had a similar, frustrating and aggravating issue with my '86 Jeep CJ-7, DSS94 . . .
After many "experts" shrugged and gave up, the last one suggested trying a different brand of gasoline, preferably a name brand.
I switched to Shell V-Power Premium and that problem has never reappeared.
All good suggestions so far. I'll add that the crank sensor is a problem on these engines. Can cause intermittent starting issues.
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