Trouble starting car when cold
When it is cold outside, my truck will not start in the mornings. There is not fire. I can put a hair dryer on the motor at the throttle body and get it hot for about hour. My truck will start but it is still hard to start and it backfires through the exhaust. I have put whole distributor, spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel filter, crankshift position sensor, map sensor, innition coil, innition control module, coolant temperature sensor, runinjector cleaner in it, and tried changing the PCM. I am so dump found out and dont know where to go.It is keeps giving me the codes P0420 and P 1345. I a
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The starting issues scream timing. The typical causes that set these codes are the cam and crank position sensors. The only option you have not tried to my knowledge is the camshaft position sensor. I would start there.
With all the recent work that has been done, you may want to start by checking the ignition timing, and verify that the timing is correct. Poor timing can have an effect on the exhaust and be causing the code P0420.
Always double check that ALL previous repairs that were made and verify they are holding. Make sure all the engine timing was set correctly and doesn’t need adjustment.
To avoid any unnecessary repairs, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home to diagnose your hard starting condition and fix it accordingly.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The most common reason a Chevy car (or any car) won`t start is a dead battery. If you have a battery tester, check your charge to see if it`s low. A dead battery can also be jumpstarted with jumper cables.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of expeditiously may result in major and significant damage to the vehicle. This blinking light usually reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system.
Code 66 will set if the ECM detects an open or short circuit in the 3-2 solenoid circuit.
Bad Sensors
One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn`t working, the spark plugs won`t fire, keeping the engine from starting.
The cause of this problem is usually one of 3 things – a failed starter motor, a bad connection between the battery and starter motor, or a blown fuse (if present) in line between the starter and the battery.
Broken or Damaged Ignition If your headlights can turn on, but your car won`t crank, that means that your battery is charged, but either the starter or ignition is the problem. If the starter or ignition is the problem, a starter engine can be jumped by using a charged battery.
While the check engine light can definitely be indicative of serious problems, the most common cause of the flashing is usually an engine misfire. There are many reasons why an engine misfire might be occurring. To run smoothly, an engine must be receiving the correct amount of power from the cylinders in your vehicle.
Reset A Check Engine Light: Two Techniques
Start the car, let it run for one second, and then turn it off. Let the engine sit quietly for two to three seconds, and then repeat the whole process two more times.
Vehicle Speed sensor signal circuit error The Vehicle Speed Sensor signals to the ECM the current speed at which the vehicle is traveling.
Passive. Passive faults are DTCs that can be cleared after reading the trouble codes without changing vehicle parts. Conversely, active faults cannot be cleared without fixing or changing a vehicle part.
A/C High Pressure switch error The ECM monitors the A/C system pressure. If the system pressure becomes to high code 69 will set and the A/C compressor operation will be disabled.
Yes, you can drive with a bad oxygen sensor if you can still start your engine and feel little difficulty driving. But don`t leave it alone for over a couple of days, as it might cause safety problems and lead to the malfunction of other parts of your vehicle.
Car Will Not Start: Over time, as the camshaft position sensor fails, the signal it sends to the engine control module weakens. When the engine no longer receives the signal, you will not be able to start your car.
Bad Alternator
If your car won`t start, but your battery is fine, chances are you have a bad alternator. This is another charging system issue, like a dead battery, that won`t let you start your car.
If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.
Why your car struggles to start but runs fine. There are a number of reasons why your car might be slow to start but runs as-normal once it gets going. Causes can vary from weather conditions to battery health, wiring issues, starter motor concerns and fuel-pump health.
If your car won`t start but the battery is good, the most common cause is a faulty starter – though it could also be to do with your fuel. You may have insufficient fuel to get the car going.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car isn’t starting, it’s really cold out. I was wondering how can I start it with this cold weather
ANSWER : Hi there. Given the description of not being able to start your vehicle, when it is cold and jump starting the vehicle without any problem. This leads me to believe the battery does not have enough cold cranking amp capacity. The engine needs to turn over fast enough to start. This may be nothing more than a weak battery. I recommend having this confirmed by a certified technician from YourMechanic.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Map sensor car won’t start up good ?
ANSWER : Your MAP sensor is an important input for your computer. It helps determine the load on the engine to calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the vehicle to realize that the sensor is not producing a good signal.
At that point, it will use other methods to determine the fuel rate, such as pre-programmed fuel maps, throttle position, etc. I would suggest replacing the MAP sensor and retesting. If you would like to have it checked first, a certified technician from YourMechanic will be able to scan your vehicle and test components to determine the root cause of your starting issue before making a repair.
car hesitates when trying to start the car ,but when started then i shut car off and start again it will start right up
ANSWER : Hi there:
Sometimes when you have problems starting an engine initially it is caused by a restriction in fuel flow; caused either by clogged fuel injectors or the throttle body that needs to be cleaned. Once the fuel starts to flow and engine warms up, it’s much easier to start. However, it could also be an air filter, EGR valve or other components that causes this issue as well, which is why it’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of this issue.
I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
My car will be starting perfect and when the gas tank gets lower it will start having problems .
ANSWER : Based on the information you gave, it sounds like a possible fuel starvation issue, caused by a partially blocked, in-tank fuel filter or a crack in the fuel pump housing. The remedy would be to replace the fuel pump assembly and filter. The overheating may be caused by several things, including a stuck thermostat, faulty water pump, or even a cracked head gasket. I suggest having a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the relevant systems to pinpoint the cause of your vehicle’s hard starting issue and overheating problem.
My car stutter starts, but only after driving it for a few minutes.
ANSWER : Hey there. This may also be caused by what is called the fuel pressure regulator. This is a unit that helps to maintain the fuel pressure at the proper level. When this is not working properly, the fuel pump may be pumping properly, but the fuel may not arrive at the fuel injectors at the proper psi. When this happens, this can cause a lean fuel condition which may cause the car to hesitate, misfire, or stall. If you would like to have an expert pinpoint the issue, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the hard start problem and confirm which repairs are needed.
Charging warning light comes on when i turn the key and try to start the car and the car want start but when someone tried to give
ANSWER : Hi there:
If you recently replaced your battery, the issue may be caused by a malfunctioning alternator or other electrical component that comprises the charging system on your Nissan Sentra. The best way to find out which item specifically is faulty, is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection. This will allow the mechanic to determine the precise source of what’s going on with your Sentra and recommend or complete the right repairs.
