leo99

Ok well i tested my battery and my starter and they are both good. Checked my connections changed my ignition switch and the main relay, and it sometimes takes 2-4 tries to start my car.... ????? What else can it be?

01tl4tl

describe what you do in each attempt- then how it starts, and runs after start

01tl4tl

did you already ck the nuetral safety switch and the brake light switch
(too lazy to read first page of thread again)

leo99

I turn the key all the way to start it like normal and hold it and nothing but a click sound happens.... then i turn the key back and take it out and reinsert to and repeat the steps till it turns on. usually take 2-4 times. But this happens very randomly like once or twice every two days.

leo99

Yes and yes.... I replaced the brake light switch and the ignition switch. I did the saftey switch bypass to start it one day my brother borrowed my car and it did not start.

jdjohn84

I assume your battery terminals and clamps are not corroded???

leo99

That's a negative.... They are both good.

leo99

Just an update. The ign switch back did not fix the problem. It stills happens about 1-2 time a day but after a couple of tries it turns on. Not cool with a girl on the passenger side. I also changed the plugs, main relay, oil, and even did a sea foam treatment to the gas, oil, and intake. Any suggestions?

km8137

i have a 2005 tl that will not start at all. all of the ele. works fine. i have checked the starter it is good. how do i check the nuetral safty switch.

01tl4tl

you will have more luck posting in the Gen3 section,,we are gen2,,1999 thru 2003 here
but happy to lead you thru basics

does it crank over but not even sound like it wants to start?
ckd spark at plugs?
how many miles?
any recent work to the car of any sort?

remove timing belt inspection port --small cover on rear of tbelt covers--
do you see a timing belt sitting in place, or is it loose,, or not visable (that would be not good)
the nuetral safety switch wont allow it out of park- not keep it from starting

ckd main ignition and fuel pump relays?
the other day someone had a bad fuel injection relay

totaledTL

Battery/cable condition?

leo99

Nope...

leo99

On top of the not turning on issue i have also been experiencing the low idle issue. then once i do get my car up and running there is a really strong smell of exhaust inside the car. not sure if it is a exhaust leak or the fuel air mixture is really rich... I also notice lately a knocking sound while i accelerate between 1500-2500 rpms. it kind of sounds like a mix between a small diesel engine and a rock inside of a aluminum can... my car is all jack up. i just hit 140xxx miles and i cant afford a new car because i just had a newborn son... so i have 2 babies to take care of

leo99

Ok today my car almost died. it barely started and a check engine light came on with a miss fire in cylinder 1, 2, and 4. i took it to someone to see if they can figure out what was wrong and he said my coil packs might be bad... any suggestions??? please i need help.

TLer trash

It sounds to me like you now have 2 or 3 problems. I think your first problem is an intermittent starter. It's really common for them to start this way. either replace it or leave the car with a mechanic for a day or two. This is easy to diagnose with a test light when you get it to happen. It's best to have someone ready with a test light while another tries to crank it. If it clicks, dont release the key until the test light person is done.

The second problem could be a coil. Buy one, and move it cylinder to cylinder to find the bad one. Do a search; there's a much better description than that. If you have it done, don't let them talk you into 6 coils. Odds are that it's only one.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

I just wanted to add that on the 2001 cl's there is a fuel relay problem that keeps them from starting... did not know if this could be part of the issue... i also agree that the starter could be slowly going out... my cls stranded me at the post office with a bad starter after a few months of not starting very well (this happened a month ago)... a new starter from NAPA comes with such a good warranty that there is no reason to by a used or rebuilt one... like 30 bucks difference.

Hope this helps man!

leo99

I got a feeling it can be a coil but how would i check it if the problem happens so randomly and on different days more than others day when it doesnt happen at all?

leo99

I actually got my starter checked when the original problem occurred and the guy said it was as good as new. Is there a thread on the fuel relay problem?