My 95 Legacy is starting to have problems starting in the morning or after work. It no longer turns over on the first try. It takes 3 or 4 "turns' of the starter before it will turn over (not the key). Once it starts, it's fine and will start right up again if I run errands.

 

The battery is new - bought it last year. Could it be the alternator or starter? What's the best way to troubleshoot?

How many miles, what is the service history? tune up last? fuel filter?

if it does it every time, try jumper cables and another vehicle/battery. do that a couple times over a few days. if it fixes it, then the battery is to blame. i would think battery before other things except maybe a ground, but battery is simpler to replace and diagnose so i'd start there. more info on car would be golden like previous poster said.

And what does he mean by turn over? It usually means turning on the starter but some folks mean when the cylinders catch.

And what does he mean by turn over? It usually means turning on the starter but some folks mean when the cylinders catch.

good point, could be either one. he gets nothing or something?

I interpreted it as 'catch' as in cylinders firing. I'd be suspicious of fuel pressure loss in the rails.

 

service history would be good to know

 

Carl

im going to guess ignition cables. This is A typical of tired wires. Car sits overnight, humidity collects on the wire. Go to start the car in the morning, its hard to start. After the electricity has leaked out of the wires, it evaporates the moisture, then the car starts.

My 2 cents

 

nipper

Here's some more info. The car has 185K miles on it, I bought it at 107K. I did a full tuneup last September and replaced the battery in November. I had the radiator, water pump, timing belts and ignition wires replaced this past weekend. The wires were replaced because after or during rain, if the car sits, the car starts but then runs rough. No roughness in nice weather.

 

By turning over, its the sound it makes when you turn the key to the start position. So instead or rrrruuummmm... start, it's rrrruuuummm, rrrruuuummm, rrrruuuummm, rrrruuuummm... start.

 

I think the Alternator and Starter may be original also. Does this help. And the first time I noticed this was about a month ago.

I'd change the temp sensor.

Here's some more info. The car has 185K miles on it, I bought it at 107K. I did a full tuneup last September and replaced the battery in November. I had the radiator, water pump, timing belts and ignition wires replaced this past weekend. The wires were replaced because after or during rain, if the car sits, the car starts but then runs rough. No roughness in nice weather.

 

By turning over, its the sound it makes when you turn the key to the start position. So instead or rrrruuummmm... start, it's rrrruuuummm, rrrruuuummm, rrrruuuummm, rrrruuuummm... start.

 

I think the Alternator and Starter may be original also. Does this help. And the first time I noticed this was about a month ago.

 

I JUST thought of a POSSIBLE test for either low compression from oil leaving the rings after sitting a long time OR my low fuel pressure theory. If you started the car under the failure conditions you mention (long cranking) then immediately turned it off, waited - say an hour or so, would it start with the same failure or start immediately? If immediately, I'd be tempted to have the fuel system checked out, and maybe a compression test.

 

I dunno, my thinking here may not be complete - hah!

 

Carl

I had the same problem with my 92 loyale,

 

Solution: Temp sensor.

In an old VW I had the check valve in the fuel pump would not open or stay shut or something when the car was cold. I had to turn the key to the start position 5-6 times to build up the fuel pressure then it would start.

 

My guess - fuel pressure

I'm putting my money on Cabron and Cookie. Coolant temp sensor.

I'm putting my money on Cabron and Cookie. Coolant temp sensor.

 

If my test fails, and it still takes several spins to start, then coolant temp sensor is still on the table because the engine would still be cold.

 

DO EET!

 

;^)

 

 

Carl

OK - where is the coolant temp sensor located and is it easy to get and install?

i'm sticking with an ignition problem if you want to bet

 

nipper

OK - where is the coolant temp sensor located and is it easy to get and install?

picture is worth a thousand words

http://www.main.experiencetherave.co...s/DCP_2477.JPG

It's the brown connector