My car recently sat for a while and when i went back to start it. I had an unbalanced start. What i mean by that is the car did not start smooth and ran like only a couple of the cylinders were firing. Then of course the check engine light came on. I replaced the spark plugs and wires hoping that the problem resided in them. Then I let the car sit for a couple of days and went to start it and again the same thing happened. I let it run for a couple of minutes and the car smoothed out but the check engine light came on again. I drove it to a friends house about 15 miles away and then cleared the check engine light again. I then drove it home a few hours later with no problems. I am guessing that it is an ignition problem but I don't know where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

Does anyone know a good mechanic in the Salt Lake City area?

My car recently sat for a while and when i went back to start it. I had an unbalanced start. What i mean by that is the car did not start smooth and ran like only a couple of the cylinders were firing. Then of course the check engine light came on. I replaced the spark plugs and wires hoping that the problem resided in them. Then I let the car sit for a couple of days and went to start it and again the same thing happened. I let it run for a couple of minutes and the car smoothed out but the check engine light came on again. I drove it to a friends house about 15 miles away and then cleared the check engine light again. I then drove it home a few hours later with no problems. I am guessing that it is an ignition problem but I don't know where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

Does anyone know a good mechanic in the Salt Lake City area?

 

Maybe it's just losing its fuel pressure really quiclky or something.

You need to pull the codes. I agree it sounds like a fuel problem as opposed to a ignition issue.

 

nipper

You need to pull the codes. I agree it sounds like a fuel problem as opposed to a ignition issue.

 

nipper

 

 

Should I go to the dealership or find an independent mechanic for this. I guess I could also buy my own code reader if it is worth it.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

I am also starting to think it is a fuel issue the more i research this problem. I am now starting to think it is the fuel pump or filter.

Try this next time. Turn the car to on, do not start it. Wait a few seconds (give the fuel pump a chance to pressureize the fuel system). The start the car and see if there is a differnce. A bad fuel pump of filter would usually show up on acceleration or high speed driving.

 

Sometiems a part store will pull the codes for free. I have seen code readers cheap on ebay.

 

nipper

This problem may be due to a leaky injector. Fuel may be leaking into the intake and the mixture will be rich until the excess is burned off.

now that I have not let my car sit for more than one day, the problem has not occured again. The symptoms I am hoping will occur again after I let it sit for the next couple of days. This way I can get the check engine light to come on again and get the code read. I found the all "Auto Zone" parts stores will read codes for free.