Starter works but not starting up properly
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From: Twin Falls, Idaho
Starter works but not starting up properly
94 L27 Olds 88
The starter spins fast and hard however the motor sometimes does not go, about a 1 and 3 chance..the issue just started today, seems like a sensor died or something. Voltage is normal on the battery, again the starter does spin however sometimes it does not fire up, sometimes it works flawelessly, about 1 and 3 starts works ok but 2 out of 3 it will just spin and not fire unless I punch the gas a few times during the cranking process.
The odd part is that after it starts up it revs up as normal then tones down and idles perfectly. The only hassle is getting the PCM to know that the car is TRYING to get going.
What usually causes this? It normally only takes 1 quick "jha jha vrrroom" of the starter to get the car fired up but not since this morning.
The starter spins fast and hard however the motor sometimes does not go, about a 1 and 3 chance..the issue just started today, seems like a sensor died or something. Voltage is normal on the battery, again the starter does spin however sometimes it does not fire up, sometimes it works flawelessly, about 1 and 3 starts works ok but 2 out of 3 it will just spin and not fire unless I punch the gas a few times during the cranking process.
The odd part is that after it starts up it revs up as normal then tones down and idles perfectly. The only hassle is getting the PCM to know that the car is TRYING to get going.
What usually causes this? It normally only takes 1 quick "jha jha vrrroom" of the starter to get the car fired up but not since this morning.
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From: Ames, Iowa
If I understand correctly, the starter engages the flywheel and turns the engine every time, but in only one of three tries does the engine start to run. I think a thrown interrupter magnet on the cam sensor might cause this. Do you have a check engine light?
Jr's3800 is great at these diagnoses - maybe he will chime in soon.
Jr's3800 is great at these diagnoses - maybe he will chime in soon.
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Originally Posted by bill buttermore
If I understand correctly, the starter engages the flywheel and turns the engine every time, but in only one of three tries does the engine start to run. I think a thrown interrupter magnet on the cam sensor might cause this. Do you have a check engine light?
Jr's3800 is great at these diagnoses - maybe he will chime in soon.
Jr's3800 is great at these diagnoses - maybe he will chime in soon.
So Hans, you are saying that you have a 1 in 3 chance of the car actually starting? And like asked is the SES light on?
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From: Corn Fields, IN
I had this problem: It gave me code 18 so i replaced the cam sensor. It happened again later and was due (i think) to oxidized terminals on the cam sensor plug. I don't know about the thrown interrupter magnet like BB is talking about, but when the cam sensor completely fails, the PCM or ICM, can't remember, randomly assigns an injection sequence and you should have a 1 in 6 chance of starting.
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Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Or is your starter not catching? I read it differently the first time through and now wonder which it is.
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From: Enfield, CT
Originally Posted by jr's3800
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Or is your starter not catching? I read it differently the first time through and now wonder which it is.
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Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Originally Posted by jr's3800
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Or is your starter not catching? I read it differently the first time through and now wonder which it is.
I may go outside and do a cold start vid just to have it handy..
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From: Twin Falls, Idaho
Originally Posted by jr's3800
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Originally Posted by jr's3800
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Or is your starter not catching? I read it differently the first time through and now wonder which it is.
I may go outside and do a cold start vid just to have it handy..
Well it worked perfect this morning.....If the issue comes back I will be shooting a video.
The starter is working fine and spinning however the PCM does not know how to start it up if that makes sense...It sounds like it is going then acts like it is not getting a full spark the first time or the spark is out of sequence or something.
