My new to me 2008 sometimes struggles to start. It cranks hard like normal, but acts like it isn’t getting any fuel. Sometimes after 5-6 seconds of cranking it finally fires up, others I’ll stop and let it sit for 10 seconds, try again. Then it fires up after 3-5 seconds of cranking.

When it does eventually start it chugs up to idle, but then runs perfectly fine after that.

About 90% of the time it fires RIGHT up. But the other times it struggles.


Are there any common things to try looking into first?


2008, 89k miles.

 

I would start with checking fuel pressure at crank up and for a leaking injector

Neal

 

is it temperature dependent? when cold or when hot? that could be an intake leak issue. also the coolent temp sensor on the front drivers side head is very important i guess check its temp reading with a scan tool and make sure it's connector is not loose. if you can get a fuel pressure gauge you might also want to monitor the fuel pressure. other things that can extend the crank are the cam and crank position sensors.

 

Cold, cycle the key on/pause/off several times without cranking, then check time for startup. Post the results.

 

My 3 is 3-5 revolutions @ startup:

 

Next time it happens I’ll cycle the key and try to listen for the fuel pump without cranking. I haven’t noticed the security light being on during this time.

As far as I can remember it hasn’t ever done it when cold. Only warm (driven in past 30 mins - 2 hours).

I don’t have any check engine lights on, but I guess that doesn’t rule out any sensors.


But it’s so intermittent, and I don’t drive it often, it may be a day, or 2 weeks before it happens again.