23
votes
Ford Focus hard to start after fueling
The next time you plan to buy gas, open the gas cap, do not add gas, leave the gas cap open for the amount of time it normally takes to fill the tank, then replace the gas cap and start the car. Hard ...
- 1,173
18
votes
Ford Focus hard to start after fueling
Modern cars all have what is called the evaporative emission control (EVAP) system. This is a system of valves, tubes, and a charcoal canister that is supposed to capture the excess vapors from the ...
- 9,429
13
votes
What does it mean when I turn the car key, nothing happens for a bit, and then the car revs to life?
The most likely from my experience of this happening are -
Worn/burnt contacts in the starter solenoid
Worn starter motor brushes
Bad connection between the high current cable and the starter ...
- 20.8k
9
votes
What does it mean when I turn the car key, nothing happens for a bit, and then the car revs to life?
What you are describing is known as a 'lazy' starter. Starters take a lot of power to run, enough energy to injure a human, so to protect the carbon unit between the pedal and the wheel automakers use ...
- 14.6k
6
votes
Ford Focus hard to start after fueling
I had these exact symptoms on a turbocharged Subaru, and the problem was the Purge Solenoid Valve was stuck open. In modern EVAP systems, instead of venting fuel vapour to the environment, there is a ...
- 161
4
votes
Car starts after jumped, not again
This sounds very much like the alternator is not charging the battery. A new fully charged battery would start the car quite a few times until flat, as you have experienced. Jump starting would then ...
- 20.8k
4
votes
What does it mean when I turn the car key, nothing happens for a bit, and then the car revs to life?
As I've stated in the comments, because of how you describe things happening ... I'm taking a different tact than the other answers. I don't believe your issue is being caused by the battery or the ...
- 141k
4
votes
Ford Focus hard to start after fueling
The other answers deal with the tank venting and pressure, these are pretty much probable causes.
There is one more (analogous to the famous Porsche that didn't like a particular type of ice-cream) : ...
- 1,912
4
votes
Accepted
If I start a previously unfueled small engine, do I keep choke on for first pull only or until it starts?
I think you're overthinking it a bit. Just follow the directions.
As far as fuel in the float bowl, if the fuel tank is above the carb (which I believe is the case ... especially if it doesn't have a ...
- 141k
4
votes
Accepted
Hot start issues
There's a few things that come to mind which match hard starting when hot and a loss of fuel economy:
Bad coolant temperature sensor: if your car's ECU (Engine Computer) doesn't know what temperature ...
- 14.6k
3
votes
Car starts only when I jump it
You have listed the obvious reasons your car is not starting. I would suggest starting with a visual inspection of the the battery terminals and cable connectors to see if they are clean and are ...
- 838
3
votes
Saab 9-5 has problems starting
I just cleaned the battery terminals and other connecting positive wires then re connected and, my cars slow cranking was fixed. Same problem as OP stated. My car is a 2003 9-5 ARC 2.3t
- 31
3
votes
No dash lights or exterior lights, no crank, and no power
I'd be looking at 2 things: has the ignition switch failed/ main feed wire come off? Are the battery connections both at the terminals and the ground strap, good clean and tight?
Total power loss, ...
- 551
2
votes
Car dies when turning key
You need to check all the connections from the battery to their respective homes. Either one of the connections is loose (not completely tight), or there's corrosion between the cable and the ...
- 141k
2
votes
I bought a new battery and it started for a week or 2. Now when i start it, it just clicks
My first thought is that you have a charging problem. You put the new battery in and if it's not getting charged properly then after a while there is no longer enough power left in it to start the ...
- 9,429
2
votes
2007 VW Rabbit seems starved for fuel after sitting, but then work perfectly once started
If there is no visual leaks or indications of a leak (ie fuel line connection, regulator) then it could be a faulty check valve in the fuel pump. Or the pump itself is not building pressure like it ...
- 21
1
vote
Accepted
Car takes several cranks to start, but once started it drives fine | Good Battery & Good Starter
It could be a check valve (aka non-return valve) causing your problems,
the challenge is that yours is built into the high pressure fuel pump. The HPFP is an expensive part, you would want to exhaust ...
- 14.6k
1
vote
Hot start issues
There were a ton of Hondas that had fuel pump relays on a circuit board that failed after a few years. And they would fail when it warmed up, so the first drive was fine, but a quick stop would leave ...
- 141
1
vote
Car starts only when I jump it
Can you go into a bit more detail about exactly what it does when you try to start it on the key?
Traditional starter motors need a small current from the battery to the key to the starter's solenoid. ...
- 2,591
1
vote
2000 Suzuki Katana 600 starting
Always start with the basics. To run an gasoline internal combustion engine requires:
Fuel
Air
Compression
Ignition
First of all this bike has carburetors and these can be very sensitive to storage ...
- 9,429
1
vote
Accepted
Engine fires up violently after reconnecting coil pack connector
I believe your guess is correct as far as the fuel in the cylinders that hasn't been fired. I believe another contributing factor is the cylinders have generated heat from the compression and are ...
- 269
1
vote
Does roll starting a car leave a skid mark?
Yes it can. It depends on a number of factors but I have seen this happen myself.
- 9,429
1
vote
What does it mean when I turn the car key, nothing happens for a bit, and then the car revs to life?
A delay in beginning the crank is unlikely to be caused by a failing battery. Whatever energy remains in the batter is available right away, and doesn't require the battery to "warm up" or &...
- 3,440
1
vote
Accepted
Determining root cause for Renault Clio not starting
I suspect you have 2 separate problems, your previous problems with your battery could be due to a power drain or it could be your battery is simply on your way out. The current problem doesn't sound ...
- 14.6k
1
vote
Determining root cause for Renault Clio not starting
Things to try -
Identify the starter relay in the fuse box. You should be able to identify this either from the manual or the lid of the fuse box. See if it makes a clicking sound when you try to ...
- 20.8k
1
vote
Car wont start gas issue started this mess
It sounds like you have 2 different issues here:
Rough running after running out of fuel: there are sediments on the bottom of your tank, when you run out of fuel your pump sucks these up and they ...
- 14.6k
1
vote
Accepted
Fiesta Mk4 Zetec not starting - strange clicking/chugging sound
While it sounds very loud, to me it just sounds like the starter solenoid going in and out due to either a flat battery or a bad connection at the battery.
You can hear the starter turn the engine ...
- 20.8k
1
vote
Accepted
2008 Honda Civic turned over slowly but didn't start on first attempts, now dead even when attempting to jump
If the car is silent, no starter noises then this may be a dead starter with several starts needed on almost every startup. This can lead to premature starter wear. There's a simple test but relies on ...
- 324
1
vote
Car doesn't start, how can I make sure the problem is because of the battery?
The sound you hear could be the starter motor turning, but not engaging with the flywheel.
You could try jump leads to another vehicle, or swap the battery with another vehicle’s to see if it makes a ...
- 20.8k
1
vote
Car doesn't start, how can I make sure the problem is because of the battery?
Take the battery to a local auto parts or battery shop and ask them to load test it. That will tell you if the battery is good or bad.
Load testing is much more reliable than a simple voltmeter test ...
- 9,429
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