RickRack

I just picked up my new car last week, an 03' CL and I already have a problem with it. When I try and start the car it won't start sometimes. It's almost like it has a kill switch because the starter cranks over but it wont start.It's already happened 4 times. After all 4 times it happened I turned the key off and then the car started fine. Does anyone know what could be wrong? I'm not too worried about it because I have a warranty but I didn't know if it was something stupid. The car only has 2,000 miles on it and I haven't done any mods to the car yet.

hatzq68

Funny you should say that. Same thing happened to me last Sunday morning after a Saturday night of driving the car pretty hard. It took a bunch of cranking and after about 4 or 5 seconds it finally turned over. It seemed weird but didn't happen again so I just wrote it off as a fluke. If you find out anything, please let me know. My TL-S is also about 3 weeks old with about 1,100 miles now. Thanks.

Donny

CKacura

Maybe the gasoline in your tank has water. Try another gasoline brand, and if the problem is still there. I guess your car might have fuel injector problem.

SwampGas

I noticed that after driving a lot and then restarting, it takes longer to turn over.

MikeS

Same problem, dealer replaced the battery under warranty....

pianoman41

Could be a couple of problems. The most obvious:

1. Bad gas - unlikely but certainly possible. No way to find out until you just about use up the tank and get some new stuff. Don't put any additives in either--you're just polluting the system. Finish the tank off and then fill up with a name brand gas at a busy station (and make sure no refueling trucks are there).

2. Low fuel pressure - Our cars have an electronic fuel pump that energizes when you turn on the ignition. With a high compression engine like ours (not sure if you have a Type S or not), the engine can take longer than normal to crank over. It has been recommended by a few mechanics that when you start the car cold, as you turn the ignition on (to position II--all the dash lights come on), just pause for 1-2 seconds to allow the fuel pump to energize and bring the fuel line up to pressure. Then crank the engine and see if that makes it catch faster. These cars do crank longer before starting than many Japanese cars I've owned in the past. Whereas my Nissans catch within 2 cranks, I may have to go 6-7 with my TL-S before it turns over.

3. Interference with immobilizer system - Both the owner's manual and service manual describe a problem with interference with the Theft Immobilizer System (chip in your ignition key) when there is either (a) a lot of metal on someone's key ring (big trinkets, lots of keys, etc) or (b) worse still, a key to another car that contains a chip of its own. The metal and/or other chip can block the immobilizer circuitry from properly "seeing" the chip in your key. The car then thinks it is being hotwired and will refuse to start. *Normally* if this interference happens, you can tell right away because the green key immobilizer icon in your gauges should flash as the car is trying to start. If you see the green icon flashing when you are trying to start the car, this may be your problem.

And of course, when all else fails, bring it to the dealer for a check-up under warranty.

kman156

ignition defects? kman

pianoman41

Yes, but that applies only to '99 TLs and '97-'99 CLs. RickRack and hatzq68 have '03s.

There was also a TSB the dealers had about a condition they called "Hot Soak" that caused some '01s (and not all either, just certain VINs and in certain states that sell oxygenated gas) to have trouble starting again after they had been driven for a while and were restarted when warm. This wouldn't apply to them either.

RickRack

I think pianoman might be right about my keychain interfering with my immobilizer system because a few times I have noticed that the rings on my key chain are getting in the way when I am starting my car. It definitely makes sense. If it happens again I'll look to see if the green light flashes. Hopefully thats the problem. I'll let you know. - Thanks,

xkazman

maybe a defect in the ignition switch. I brought my TL in yesterday to service the recall and they didnt even have the part in yet. Maybe its a problem with the 03 CL too.

xkazman

samkws

it's even harder to start on a rainly day or a foggy day...

or near empty gas tank...

RickRack

My problem ended up being the immobilizer. One of the key rings kept getting stuck when I tried starting it so the other day I purposely touched the metal key ring against the key and did the exact same thing. I guess that was the problem. Time for a new key ring!! Thanks for everyones input.