My car still won't start right. I checked my fuel pressure, and it held strong. I check my throttle postion sensor and it was fine. My car will start on the second or third try. I press in the gas while I am trying to start it and it starts. I also changed the fuel filter. I took my starter out and had it checked three times. It almost sounds as if the start isn't catching the fly wheel, but the gear on it is fine. I took it to auto zone 3 different times. But pressing on the gas helps it start, so I'm not thinking it has anything to do with the starter. I am totally stuck. Other than that the car is running fine. Can anyone help me???

 

how strong is the spark at the spark plug????

 

new plugs and wires in there. Didn't take them out to see how strong though.

 

The fuel pressure seems a little high to me. I believe stock pressure is supposed to be 35-40 psi. It could be squirting too much fuel in there with 50+ psi, causing it to start too rich. Is there black smoke out the tailpipes right after starting?

Is it the starter gear that's ok or the ring gear on the flexplate or both that are ok? If you haven't checked the ring gear yet, put the car up on ramps and pull the bellhousing cover. Pull your coil wire and turn the engine over by hand (breaker bar) so you can check all 360* of the ring gear.

Hope this helps you out.

 

DO I have a ring gear on the 6 spd? I though the starter connected straight to the flyweel?

 

Yes you have a ring gear on outside of flywheel. Does it crank over & then the starter zings/disengages? When the starter bendix's go bad they'll do this, get another starter. I agree w/Z28> 50 psi is alot. Adjustable regulator???

 

I agree it souns like a starter bendix(drive). Can you hear the starter turn, but not turn the engine over. Starter drives can be purchased separately from a starter to save money. It is not too complicated to replace.

 

when I took of the starter and had it tested, the everything looked fine. The gear on the starter had all the teeth and didn't look worn. Is the gear on the starter what you are talking about? or is this another gear where the starter connects to?
The starter does sound like it is spinning and not catching a gear, but when I pump the gas, it will start, Pressing on the gas wouldn't help the starter though, that is why I don't think it has to do with the starter either.

Thanks for the help so far.

 

I'll ask the same question that the 3 previous people asked that you completely ignored.

Fuel pressure? 50+PSI sounds too high for starting conditions. Have you checked that at all? How about black smoke from the tail pipe on initial start?

 

Yep, 50+ PSI is too high, unless you've also done the necessary PCM changes to reflect it. You should have 43.5 psi +/- 1 When you press the gas pedal in during cranking the PCM goes into "clear flood" mode. Considering all of this it's a good chance you are flooding the engine at startup. I'd get the fuel pressure in check before going too crazy, it shouldn't be that high anyway.

 

it was from an old guage, so I don't think the numbers are totally reliable. I just went down in my garage and did check it on another guage my dad had laying around just now. It said 45lbs. and I just looked at the other guage I used and it didn't even start at 0, it started at about 5 psi......I didn't even notice it before....I guess that needs to go in the garbage. Nope....no black smoke either. Sorry about forgetting to anwser those questions.

 

Make sure the MAF is installed in the right direction, no tears or leaks anywhere along the intake tract, TPS voltage is within spec (between .3 and .9 volts at closed throttle), make sure all plugs are getting spark, may even want to pull a plug to take a look at it, and make sure the IAC system is functioning properly, and I'd also check all electrical grounds.

 

When you check to see if the MAF is pointing in the right direction, try to take the plug to the MAF off and see if it fires. I noticed one time that with the intake elbow off of the TB and the MAF still plugged in my car would not start. As soon as I unplugged my MAF it fired right up. You may need to replace your MAF, which isn't cheap I might add.... Good Luck though.

 

Come to think of it....when I do try to start it, it sounds like I am trying to start it with the maf off. But if the maf is bad, why would pressing the gas peddle help start the car? Is there anyway to test to see if the maf is bad. I know I could buy a new one and then test it, but that would be expensive.

 

MAF is on right and everything is tight. Just went out and checked it. But it finally gave out and won't even start anymore no mater if I press the gas or not. Time to take it to the shop i guess.