Hey everyone,

I recently bought a new 2006 TL and I've been getting worried about some start-up issues I might be having. Everytime I start my engine, sometimes it takes longer to catch and sometimes it really sounds like the engine isn't starting properly.

I've been looking around in the forums and there was one thread about putting the key in the ON position for a couple seconds and then moving to START but I'm not sure how much that really helps.

Is it better to just crank it to the START position right away instead of doing the couple second ON procedure? Does it really matter?

Is anyone else experiencing similar issues?

This might be minor but I guess I want to be safe especially with a brand new TL.

 

Leaving the key in the start position for a couple of seconds allows the fuel pump to prime the lines and sometimes help when starting.

The engine will occasionally start a little rough because of the ECM adjusting things to keep the emissions down.

The engine starting usually improves noticeably as the car gets broken in.

 

Hey Ron, do you mean the ON position (the one before you start the engine)?

 

The key thing should not matter, at least not if everything is right.
The fuel system should hold pressure till the next start, and the pump should
presurize things very quickly if its low.

One thing you dont want to do is start a cold engine then shut it off, on most modern cars that tends to flood out the engine. Let it run a bit before you turn it off.

We have had warm weather lately, and with winter formulated gas (evaporates and/or boils at lower temps) you can have problems.

The motorcycle was acting wierd, but my car has been fine...

Brett

 

Yes, that's it. If you listen closely you should be able hear the fuel pump buzzing.

What brettg said also is good info, but some cars might be helped by waiting that couple of seconds, and on others it would make no difference. If yours is not starting right, try it, what can it hurt except two seconds out of your lifetime.

 

ah, thanks for the info Ron. But my question is if keeping the key on ON for a couple seconds before switching it to START is bad for the car. I heard once that it was when all the lights and junk go on in your car before you start it.

 

I had the same problem and mentioned it to the service dept with no real expectation of them finding anything because it was so intermittent (once every 20 or 30 starts). However they just called a few hours ago and told me that they reproduced the problem and were replacing the fuel pressure regulator! Perhaps you can give the service dept. a try if you're still under warranty? We'll see if the problem goes away permenantly now. Prolly won't know for a week or two. Perhaps this will keep you have having to do the workaround mentioned earlier.

 

I am having the same exact problems with my car.

Any ideas.