When i turn the key the engine turns over but wont fire up, I have to crank it for about 20 secs then it fires. When it does fire its sounds more like it wants to shut off again but slowly it smooths out. After it smooths out the engine will rev up and idle at 1500rpm for about 10 secs and after that its all normal operation. What the hell could be the problem? I was thinking maybe bad starter.

 

sounds like a fuel issue to me... also whens the last time your car had a tune up

 

possibly a bad starter try and go get that checked at a auto store they usually do it free.......otherwise look at plugs, wires, coil, distributor the usual

 

Check that you fuel pressure doesn't drop back down to zero pressure after the fuel pump primes; if it drops the check valve in the fuel pump failed and the pump needs to be replaced. If the engine cranks, the starter should be good; if it cranks slowly, charge or replace the battery.

 

Cool, I'll have to check fuel pressure tomorrow. I was just out in the garage messing around with it and I noticed that when i use the auto start button the engine will start right up but still rev up and idle at 1500 for about 20 secs, then i'll try to use the key and it goes back to the original problem. WTF!

 

Well I jsut figured out what my excessive cranking problem was, theres a stuck valve somewhere in my EVAP system, to test if its the problem simply remove the gas cap and try to start it.

 

It could be the OPTI sensor going bad, are you throwing any codes(getting an SES light)? I had this problem when my car ran for about 1/2hr. It would start running like crap, shut down, then very hard to start back up. It turned out to be the optical sensor in the OPTI. Good luck.