Won't start...TIA for any thoughts on this...

[zodman]

Hello All,

My 2001S won't start.

I hear the normal grind as it begins to start, but it gets chunky, and then dies. Not wanting to push it, I turn everything off, and remove the key.

I wait a minute, and reinsert the key and wait for the oil readout, but it now takes a long time to give the readout (about 30 seconds). At this second readout it suddenly shows four bars low, as opposed to the one bar low when I first tried to start it.

The second attempt to start is a little chunkier. But it doesn't start.

Anyone experience this before or know the solution?

On my way home today, all was fine. No warning lights, anything that would be a sign.

Thanks for any input.

David

[Beelzy]

Are there any CELs showing now on the car? Did the car exhibit any signs at all before this event??

Depending on how many miles are on the engine, it could be a valve/head issue or the infamous IMS failure so often

remarked about on this and other forums.

Time for a mechanic it seems, Good Luck.

[zodman]

Are there any CELs showing now on the car? Did the car exhibit any signs at all before this event??

Depending on how many miles are on the engine, it could be a valve/head issue or the infamous IMS failure so often

remarked about on this and other forums.

Time for a mechanic it seems, Good Luck.

No, no warning lights. No, no previous symptoms. 63k.

[zodman]

Could this be a Idle Control Valve Issue?

Also, I noticed that Sunset has changed their website...can't look up prices anymore there. Did something happen there?

Back to the issue at hand, oil level is fine when I manually check it. All other fluids are fine. Nothing appears to be leaking. The long pause for the oil level read-out after a second attempt to start is probably normal, just never had the starting issue before.

The chunky attempt to start reminds me of air-fuel issues, anyone ever had a problem like this solved by replacing or cleaning the Idle Control Valve?

[wvicary]

Is the engine actually turning over?? It sounds like the starter has failed.

[zodman]

Is the engine actually turning over?? It sounds like the starter has failed.

I can hear it turn over, but it fails to start. After second attempt the sound gets "chunky", not smooth.

[whw7]

I am not sure what you mean by chunky. Have you ever had battery problems before and know what it sounds like? Usually gets progressively worse as you continue to try to start and battery runs low.

[timbo]

Look for the simple things first. IMS failure would mean it wouldn't run, and is usually accompanied by noises and Mobil 1 on the floor. You say it ran fine on the way home, does it still run? Check the battery and the batery terminals, are the lights working normally with engine off, this would give you an indication of the state of the battery, then start to look else where. Lower oil level is probaly due to the fact that after turning the engine over the oil has pumped around the engine and so there is less to measure, particularly if its cold.

[zodman]

Look for the simple things first. IMS failure would mean it wouldn't run, and is usually accompanied by noises and Mobil 1 on the floor. You say it ran fine on the way home, does it still run? Check the battery and the batery terminals, are the lights working normally with engine off, this would give you an indication of the state of the battery, then start to look else where. Lower oil level is probaly due to the fact that after turning the engine over the oil has pumped around the engine and so there is less to measure, particularly if its cold.

Hi timbo,

I ruled out IMS too. As stated earlier, no leaking fluids, and I suspected as much on the oil readout. Battery is fine fuses are fine relays are fine.

Just doesn't ignite after turning over. I suspect the fuel pump, sending unit, or as wvicary suggested, the starter. I had the car towed to a mech in San Carlos, so I'll see what they come up with. San Carlos German Motor Works.

[zodman]

Fuel Pump won the contest. So much for 20% of my gain on NCC. B)

[wvicary]

If it was the fuel pump what was the chunky noise??

[zodman]

If it was the fuel pump what was the chunky noise??

The chunky monkey... :D

Kidding aside, it was just the starter trying to ignite the engine. Just never had an issue like this pop up before. Trying to start it with the failed pump, the noise of the starter was only amplified.

As a result of the mech repair though, I am now experiencing an odd readout of the gas gage. I didn't notice it until after I filled the gas tank. It now reads empty.

I was driving on 280, and to my shock, for a second, thought I was driving 130mph...and getting passed by a prius :o then I noticed the instrument cluster is reading in kilometers... :P

I assume that the mechanic, when he installed the fuel pump, caused the float to get hung up on a hose in the tank causing a false low level on the gauge.

fun, fun, fun

[zodman]

Summary of todays events.....

Took the car back to the mechanic. (San Carlos German Motor Works) They fixed the fuel gauge issue, it was a pinched cable from the fuel pump interfering with the floater. As I've read before, it's easy to do when installing a fuel pump.

They reset the 'puter to read miles, instead of kilometers.

No charge.