Difficult start... Starter is turning the engine over

[BlueXWA]

51000 miles on BlueX .... Seven seconds of starter and engine engaging/turning over and no start...wait a few seconds and then repeat and it starts... No engine lights (CEL)... I will use the amateur OBD II scan tool today...two pathways to go down...1. sensors like cam shaft and crank shaft position, MAF, coolant temp and ECU...I suppose coil packs and plugs.... 2. Fuel pump, filter, injectors..... Has anyone else had this difficult to start problem and what solves it... I suppose I will have to go to the pros with the tools to diagnose the sensors... I don't want to get stranded in the mountains... ... What if the battery is just slightly weak at turning the starter over and there is a timing issue... Wow..if so this system is very sensitive...

 

[BlueXWA]

I don't discern any other symptoms while it is running... RPMs run smooth and no hesitation in timing or delays in gas pedal to forward momentum... If the alternator was the problem I would see other issues after driving a long time and weakening/draining the battery...

 

[BlueXWA]

No Mods to engine or exhaust...just stock

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Maybe fuel filter or fuel pump. Or weak signal to injectors.
Hard to say on this one.

 

[motorhead426]

First thing that I thought of is air in the fuel system, or not holding pressure after its shut down. You mentioned "coils and plugs". So I assume this a Hemi, not a diesel?

 

[BlueXWA]

It's the hemi...it isn't every time that it has difficulty starting....once every two weeks... I ran my OBD II... No errors and most of the diagnostics are ok with the exception my OBD doesn't give fuel pressures or misfire data... They may be blocked by the ECU... Engine runs string no hesitation ... I just bout this two weeks ago from the first and only owner with 51000 miles... I am going to run Chevron techron fuel cleaner then Chevron fuel injector cleaner... I run Lucas with most of my vehicles on I termittent fueling all year.... I will start this in the Ram as well

 

[Trash Panda]

It's the hemi...it isn't every time that it has difficulty starting....once every two weeks... I ran my OBD II... No errors and most of the diagnostics are ok with the exception my OBD doesn't give fuel pressures or misfire data... They may be blocked by the ECU... Engine runs string no hesitation ... I just bout this two weeks ago from the first and only owner with 51000 miles... I am going to run Chevron techron fuel cleaner then Chevron fuel injector cleaner... I run Lucas with most of my vehicles on I termittent fueling all year.... I will start this in the Ram as well

The mechanic in a bottle isn’t gonna do anything besides drain your wallet. If it makes ya feel better, by all means, but it isn’t going to fix anything.

I run fuel lubricity additives in my diesel, but that’s to a different end for certain.

 

[motorhead426]

I'd put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail and see if it holds after you shut it off. Does it start ok after a short engine off period (like running into the store for a quick stop)? Depending on how quickly the pressure drops might help find the issue (if it IS a fuel issue). We had an Intrepid years ago where I replaced the fuel pressure regulator and the O-ring got damaged on install. I had to prime the pump with the key 2 or 3 times before cranking.

 

[BlueXWA]

All good thoughts... I don't own the tools to diagnose the fuel rail pressure... But I was wondering if this is a one off scenario...I will give it a few weeks and keep track of the frequency...