Help: Car sometimes starts, sometimes doesn't

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-28-2010, 12:58 PM
  #1  
Racer
Thread Starter
 
4ank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Age: 41
Posts: 418
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Help: Car sometimes starts, sometimes doesn't

Hi Everyone --

I was about to come home from the shore yesterday when I got into my car and it wouldn't turn over. I let it sit for 20 minutes, then it started no problem and I drove it for a few minutes. I mistakenly shut it off and let it sit for another 10-15 minutes and it started and then stalled and would not start again. After another 20 minutes, it started no problem. So I pulled it into my driveway and left it there.

My first thought was the fuel pump, but in my experience, they either work or don't work. Usually they are not intermittent like this.

Anyone ever experience anything else like this? Opinions.

I am nervous to let a shop look at it unless it is something that is very straight forward.

Thanks.
Old 06-28-2010, 01:26 PM
  #2  
Racer
 
01RedCLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Age: 45
Posts: 261
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I had the same problem this time last year. Ended up being the fuel pump/relay FUSE - it was NOT popped, though. The metal contact on the fuse itself was worn off after 10 years and caused the intermittent starting/stopping of the vehicle. Sometimes I would drive and the car would just die!

Replaced the blue fuse and NO problems ever since.

Cost me a new fuel pump, fuel relay, and $100 dealer visit.

Sucked.
Old 06-28-2010, 01:38 PM
  #3  
Racer
Thread Starter
 
4ank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Age: 41
Posts: 418
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
So after all of that work, you still had the problem and then replaced the fuse?

I'm guessing that should be the first thing I check.

What did everything cost you in total?
Old 06-28-2010, 01:47 PM
  #4  
OG 3.x^7 rawr
iTrader: (5)
 
SPoolinspOON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Centreville, VA
Age: 38
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
check the fuse, then main relay
Old 06-28-2010, 02:32 PM
  #5  
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
 
civicdrivr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: VA
Age: 35
Posts: 35,961
Received 8,151 Likes on 4,817 Posts
x2 main relay.
Old 06-28-2010, 04:42 PM
  #6  
Instructor
 
whiteknight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is your car a 6 speed manual or an automatic? I had a similar problem in a Supra years ago and it was a faulty switch on the clutch pedal.
Old 06-28-2010, 09:37 PM
  #7  
Racer
Thread Starter
 
4ank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Age: 41
Posts: 418
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by whiteknight
Is your car a 6 speed manual or an automatic? I had a similar problem in a Supra years ago and it was a faulty switch on the clutch pedal.
6 speed... for a second after the first time it didn't start, I thought I forgot how to start a stickshift. ha.
Old 06-29-2010, 07:27 AM
  #8  
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (1)
 
rondog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: yonkers, NY
Age: 45
Posts: 8,320
Received 129 Likes on 101 Posts
First, check the battery terminal connection before anything else. I had the same thing, after 2-3 attempts the car would start. Almost bought a new battery, my mechanic just tightened the terminals and fixed everything. Worth a try.
Old 06-29-2010, 09:13 AM
  #9  
Racer
Thread Starter
 
4ank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Age: 41
Posts: 418
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Update: My sister's bf took the car to the local shop today and had no problems starting or driving it. He kept it in 2nd gear for the the 1-2 mile drive.
Old 06-30-2010, 01:11 PM
  #10  
Instructor
 
PANAMARED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Age: 50
Posts: 172
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
my guess is fuel pump relay under steering column
Old 07-07-2010, 06:42 AM
  #11  
Racer
Thread Starter
 
4ank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Age: 41
Posts: 418
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by PANAMARED
my guess is fuel pump relay under steering column
Yup, that's what it was. Thanks everyone who commented.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tman570
2G RL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
11
06-11-2019 07:56 AM
miner
3G RLX (2013+)
36
01-11-2016 04:17 PM
jordanboi
2G TSX (2009-2014)
16
09-05-2015 01:33 AM
NSolace
2G TL Problems & Fixes
15
09-03-2015 08:02 PM
dlknight
2G TL Problems & Fixes
4
09-03-2015 07:54 PM



Quick Reply: Help: Car sometimes starts, sometimes doesn't



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:06 PM.