Difficulty starting car

Aptitude

The last few days/week I have noticed it being a bit tricky starting the car in the mornings (but not every time).

I might have to do it a few times and rev it up to keep it going.

Car is 2005 Mitsibishi Colt with almost 124,000 kilometres on it.

New starter motor? Battery?

Thanks for any suggestions.

YbFocus

You mean that it starts no problem but just runs bad for a matter of seconds?
You need to keep a rev on it until it settles?

B00056718

Aptitude wrote: »

The last few days/week I have noticed it being a bit tricky starting the car in the mornings (but not every time).

I might have to do it a few times and rev it up to keep it going.

Car is 2005 Mitsibishi Colt with almost 124,000 kilometres on it.

New starter motor? Battery?

Thanks for any suggestions.

When you say difficult to start, is it lazy to crank over or is the engine turning over as normal but not firing up?

Aptitude

Turn the key, sounds as if it will start.. stops.

Next time turn key, sounds as if it will start, I try rev it a bit.. stops.

A give a few seconds, turn the key, rev it quite a bit.. starts.

Now this morning it started at 7am no probs first time, I drove 5 mins to tesco.. then I had the above problem in tesco car park.

YbFocus

Aptitude wrote: »

Turn the key, sounds as if it will start.. stops.

Next time turn key, sounds as if it will start, I try rev it a bit.. stops.

A give a few seconds, turn the key, rev it quite a bit.. starts.

Ok and for the rest of the day does it start Ok?
Is it just a morning thing?

Aptitude

YbFocus wrote: »

Ok and for the rest of the day does it start Ok?
Is it just a morning thing?

This morning it started at 7am no probs first time, I drove 5 mins to tesco.. then I had the above problem in tesco car park.

Yeah I think it is just a morning thing, but I will have to do more testing on that, haven`t been driving too much recently.

denismc

Could be any number of things, when was the car last serviced? If it hasn't been serviced in a while then maybe its better to get it serviced as trying to figure out these things on a forum could be tricky and end up costing you more. Sorry thats not much help but thats all you are likely to get as you have given us little to go on.

Aptitude

denismc wrote: »

Could be any number of things, when was the car last serviced? If it hasn't been serviced in a while then maybe its better to get it serviced as trying to figure out these things on a forum could be tricky and end up costing you more. Sorry thats not much help but thats all you are likely to get as you have given us little to go on.

Serviced in August, and was serviced annually two years previously at least, can`t speak for previous owner :pac:

corsav6

Had the same problem with my astra, turned out to be crank sensor. Mine was cracked so it was obvious but some can just be dirty or coated in oil. Try Google for the exact location on a colt but it should be around bottom crank pulley, try to get a look and see if its damaged.
Its more than likely a sensor but a head gasket can sometimes make it difficult to start due to low compression.

YbFocus

At a guess I would be saying fuel pump, sounds kind of like it doesn't prime sometimes.
Pure guess though, maybe somebody on here could give a more definite answer from experience

DeFinch89

yug I agree give it a full service if its due one.

My reckoning is somewhere along the ignition system, maybe a fecked ignition coil by the sounds of it.

But highly recommend a full service first, at least it cuts out faulty spark plugs, clogged air filter, old thick oil causing increased friction, etc, etc.

I can safely bet the battery is not the problem anyway.

Damien360

Aptitude wrote: »

Serviced in August, and was serviced annually two years previously at least, can`t speak for previous owner :pac:

If you use it as a "town car" doing short runs most if the time, the battery may just need changing as it is not getting a good recharge.

Our avensis did the same and we got a stronger battery to sort it out. Our scenic and our focus before that did the exact same.

YbFocus

Nope its not the battery or the starter as he/she says that the car just gets it hard to start and needs to be turned for a while with throttle added too.
So those two bits are actually performing well currently.

DeFinch89

Damien360 wrote: »

If you use it as a "town car" doing short runs most if the time, the battery may just need changing as it is not getting a good recharge.

I would tend to agree with this if it is very short drives.
a quick test would be to turn the lights on without the engine running, if lights go very dim very quickly you need a new battery however if they remain nearly as bright as it would with engine running, your battery is grand, there is no "stronger" battery as per say just a new battery is always stronger than same but old used battery

DeFinch89

YbFocus wrote: »

Nope its not the battery or the starter as he/she says that the car just gets it hard to start and needs to be turned for a while with throttle added too.
So those two bits are actually performing well currently.

you know yourself ya normally dont need any throttle to start the car, the turn of the key does it all for you lol.
but unfortunately its not starting normal for you.

Aptitude

I told the guy in the garage to change the spark plugs as they were due according to the intervals.

He said he would change them if they "needed to be done" :rolleyes:

YbFocus

DeFinch89 wrote: »

you know yourself ya normally dont need any throttle to start the car, the turn of the key does it all for you lol.
but unfortunately its not starting normal for you.

I'm not the OP here now

Just giving my two cents.

B00056718

It could be a lot of things.

Incorrect fuel/air mixture that can be caused by number of things

Incorrect fuel added at last fill. Petrol car will run with some diesel mixed in the tank when hot, but will struggle to cold start.

Poor compression that also can be caused by number of things

Ignition or electrical problem

Dirty plugs that can be caused by number of things

It won't be fixed from here that's for sure.
Go to a mechanic.

DeFinch89

YbFocus wrote: »

I'm not the OP here now

Just giving my two cents.

I know, I realised soon after I posted it that it wasnt the OP whom I thought I quoted:o
had one of them homer simpson "doh" moments :pac: :pac: :pac:

DeFinch89

B00056718 wrote: »

It could be a lot of things.

not neccessarily i believe its down to a simple fault somewhere in the ignition.
But I could be wrong being unable to see OP's car for myself.

B00056718 wrote: »

Incorrect fuel/air mixture that can be caused by number of things

If this the cause there is a leak somewhere along air intake, joints, seals, connections, throttle body joints, gaskets: these can be relatively inexpensive and an easy enough fix if you can find source of a leakage of air, also an inexpensive swap out is a fuel filter but make sure to depressurize fuel system first.
Air flow meter, Fuel lines, faulty fuel injectors, fuel pump, various sensors along intake and exhaust: these are far more an expensive issue and down to a mechanic to inspect for you, however I am assuming these expensive parts are in good condition.
possibly a leak at exhaust side, you could check all the exhaust pipe and manifold, gaskets, flanges, joints and pipes themselves for any sign of leaking exhaust gases.

B00056718 wrote: »

Incorrect fuel added at last fill. Petrol car will run with some diesel mixed in the tank when hot, but will struggle to cold start.

Poor compression that also can be caused by number of things

Assuming you didnt mix diesel into it, and the engine itself is in good condition, no lack of compression etc.
although a simple compression test can be carried out if you had a decent compression tester plugged into where the sparks plug normally goes. but again i would leave this as a last resort.

B00056718 wrote: »

Ignition or electrical problem

This is where I believe your problem lies...

B00056718 wrote: »

Dirty plugs that can be caused by number of things

Spark plugs are part of ignition system so could be a cheap swap out that OP can carry out with basic tools: spark plug socket and extension bar and ratchet.
other issue's along ignition system is damaged HT leads where current is leaking/arcing: this can be easily in the dark by small bright sparks somewhere along HT leads if the current is escaping and touching engine or other metal while the engine is running, if this is the case, DONT TOUCH HT LEADS while engine is running, they are capable of carrying a nasty shock, replace with new set of HT leads.
on older cars you had what was called a distributor, which distributes current to each lead at exact timing according to camshaft position.
this can be found by following HT leads from spark plugs back to a box on side of engine, these were known for getting damp due to a crack in the distributor cover/cap or contact points would get so worn down that you would have issues leading to exactly what OP is describing and a basic renewal of thir part would fix problem indefinately.
But Im afraid OP has '04ish mitsubishi colt and most if not all '00 upwards cars had the simple mechanical current distributor swapped out for a modern electronic coil on plug setup, which im not familiar with so seek auto electrician if this is the case.

B00056718 wrote: »

It won't be fixed from here that's for sure.
Go to a mechanic.

It wont be fixed here but good knowledgeable advise and previous experience with such problems can go a long way

DeFinch89

Aptitude wrote: »

I told the guy in the garage to change the spark plugs as they were due according to the intervals.

He said he would change them if they "needed to be done" :rolleyes:

d.i.y job me thinks!
mechanics can get it wrong it too, if your adament its the spark causing the issue (which it very well could be!)
It is a very easy job to carry out if you have the basic tools i mentioned above for it.
spark plugs are relatively cheap to buy too, even though my celica plugs set me back at over a tenner per plug!!
For economy cars you should be able to get a brand new set for under €15 at your local motor factors

corsav6

I assume the fuel pump is in the tank so get someone to hop in the back and listen for the pump as you switch the ignition on, there should be an audible hum as the pump primes, if not then check that the relay is seated properly and no moisture is present. My crank sensor stopped power to the fuel pump but sparked away on the ht leads, was intermittent and mostly happened after a short spin it would crank but wouldn't fire.
Does it turn clean or can you hear it trying to fire? I believe with the advice the guys give you here you can narrow the problem down and be better prepared when you visit a mechanic.

B00056718

DeFinch89 wrote: »

not neccessarily i believe its down to a simple fault somewhere in the ignition.
But I could be wrong being unable to see OP's car for myself.


If this the cause there is a leak somewhere along air intake, joints, seals, connections, throttle body joints, gaskets: these can be relatively inexpensive and an easy enough fix if you can find source of a leakage of air, also an inexpensive swap out is a fuel filter but make sure to depressurize fuel system first.
Air flow meter, Fuel lines, faulty fuel injectors, fuel pump, various sensors along intake and exhaust: these are far more an expensive issue and down to a mechanic to inspect for you, however I am assuming these expensive parts are in good condition.
possibly a leak at exhaust side, you could check all the exhaust pipe and manifold, gaskets, flanges, joints and pipes themselves for any sign of leaking exhaust gases.

Assuming you didnt mix diesel into it, and the engine itself is in good condition, no lack of compression etc.
although a simple compression test can be carried out if you had a decent compression tester plugged into where the sparks plug normally goes. but again i would leave this as a last resort.

This is where I believe your problem lies...

Spark plugs are part of ignition system so could be a cheap swap out that OP can carry out with basic tools: spark plug socket and extension bar and ratchet.
other issue's along ignition system is damaged HT leads where current is leaking/arcing: this can be easily in the dark by small bright sparks somewhere along HT leads if the current is escaping and touching engine or other metal while the engine is running, if this is the case, DONT TOUCH HT LEADS while engine is running, they are capable of carrying a nasty shock, replace with new set of HT leads.
on older cars you had what was called a distributor, which distributes current to each lead at exact timing according to camshaft position.
this can be found by following HT leads from spark plugs back to a box on side of engine, these were known for getting damp due to a crack in the distributor cover/cap or contact points would get so worn down that you would have issues leading to exactly what OP is describing and a basic renewal of thir part would fix problem indefinately.
But Im afraid OP has '04ish mitsubishi colt and most if not all '00 upwards cars had the simple mechanical current distributor swapped out for a modern electronic coil on plug setup, which im not familiar with so seek auto electrician if this is the case.



It wont be fixed here but good knowledgeable advise and previous experience with such problems can go a long way

As I said: it could be a lot of things.

Also, listening to the fuel pump will tell you very little as the pump could seem to be running fine but insufficient pressure could be produced at the fuel rail at the same time.

Supergurrier

Either the cold is killing your battery (tends to finish off weakened cells) or you have a loose connection on the battery itself.

Very easy fix

JohnBoy26

Aptitude wrote: »

I told the guy in the garage to change the spark plugs as they were due according to the intervals.

He said he would change them if they "needed to be done" :rolleyes:

What he probably meant was that he would take them out and inspect them and if they were bad he'd change them.

JohnBoy26

Supergurrier wrote: »

Either the cold is killing your battery (tends to finish off weakened cells) or you have a loose connection on the battery itself.

Very easy fix

Doesn't sound like a battery issue from what the op says.

Supergurrier

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Doesn't sound like a battery issue from what the op says.

From what the OP is posting it seems correct imo, from what other people are posting it could be world hunger or the return of the dinosaurs

JohnBoy26

Supergurrier wrote: »

From what the OP is posting it seems correct imo, from what other people are posting it could be world hunger or the return of the dinosaurs

From this description it doesn't look like it's got anything to do with a battery issue

Aptitude wrote: »

Turn the key, sounds as if it will start.. stops.

Next time turn key, sounds as if it will start, I try rev it a bit.. stops.

A give a few seconds, turn the key, rev it quite a bit.. starts.

Now this morning it started at 7am no probs first time, I drove 5 mins to tesco.. then I had the above problem in tesco car park.

Aptitude

OP here.

Well I haven`t had this issue the last few days.

Had a spin on the M50 yesterday. Maybe the oul car just needed a bit of exercise.