I'll get right to the point.
I'm having problems with my car not starting, the problem is becoming more and more frequent....
i'll turn the ignition and there will be no engine response whatsoever, no cranking ar anything...just silence...
oddly enough if you keep the ignition turned after about 3-4 seconds of absolute silence, the engine will finnaly TRY to crank over but it never does on the first try. if i wait a few seconds after that, the car will start right up like it should...and rarely, it just wont work at all, as much as i try i get no response, but if i let it sit for about 20 minutes it starts up right away...

i don't think it is a hot starter problem since this sometimes happens first thng in the moring or even it's had plenty of time to cool off...
this is getting really anoying so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...
thanks

 

Blaze,

What year/model are you talking about? Might be VATS, solenoid, neutral safety, lots of possibilities.

 

92 firebird

 

Come on, someone out there has to have had gone through the same problem...
this problem is really bugging me.... thanks...

 

Blaze,

Slow down your routine when you first get in the car to do some diagnosis.

First, insert the key and turn the ignition ON without cranking. Watch the "Service Engine Soon" lamp when you do this. The lamp should go on briefly, then off briefly, then back on and remain on until the ignition is turned off or the engine is running normally. This SES lamp "bounce" is the signal that the ECM has passed some rudimentary self diagnosis of the RAM, checked for a valid PROM and CalPak, and scanned the I/O for connected loads and sensors. It takes about half a second, so watch closely. If that happen as it should, you can presume the ECM is at least working and has power. Shut off the ignition and wait at least 20 seconds.

Repeat the procedure, but this time also listen for the fuel pump relay on the outside of the firewall to click ON, and listen for the fuel pump running in the fuel tank. The pump will only run for two seconds, then the ignition has to be turned off for at least 20 seconds to repeat the pump "priming" cycle. If the pump runs,you've cleared two ECM possible hurdles. The ECM is functioning, and is operating the I/O. Turn it off again and wait another twenty.

Repeat it again, watching for the SES lamp bounce and fuel pump prime (you'll get into this habit sooner or later as a regular routine - hopefully). After the ECM has reported O.K., try cranking while watching the SECURITY lamp. monitor what the lamp does, and how it flashes (if it does). That could be a factor in whether the cranking circuit is enabled or not.

Report back with those results, and we'll go from there.

 

ok...
i see the light flashing, and i hear the fuel pump...
but everytime i did it the car would start...
so i suppose i should watch fo it all the time to see if it happens when my car doesn't start...
but yeah...
any other possibilities???
by the way, thanks for your help.

 

Keep an eye on the situation, and determine what does or doesn't happen when it won't start. Since it isn't "broken" right now, it would be very hard to diagnose.