So, I was going to work saturday and when i got finished getting breakfast, my car would not start. This was about the 3rd time it has happened in about 1-1/2 months. So, the starter will turn but the car will not kick over. It seems like it's not getting fuel when this happens, This is a very random problem though. On top of this occationally the starter will turn for a good 10-15 secs before it starts.

In order to get the car to start I have to disconnect the Positive (+) side of the battery for apporx. 5 min.

The car is a 1995 V6 with 156K miles. I did a tune-up recently which included wires, platinum plugs, pcv valve, fuel filter, oil and filter and I might be missing something... I did not change the coil pack, but my mechanic said I didn't need it.

I'm taking it to that same mechanic on tuesday but more for advice than to fix it...

Thanks in advance.

 

Start at the basics, do you have spark & fuel?

Pull one of the front boots off & get an old plug see if it gives nice blue sparks, if so your good. You can check for pressure in the fuel rail with a gauge or by pressing (momentarily) the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Wear eye protection though & do this only on a cold engine. Gauge should read about 35-40 PSI ; you should hear the fuel pump prime up the system for a few seconds when you turn the key on (before the starter spins).

If your IAC is dodgy it can cause hard starting as can faulty ECT, ACT or TPS. Since you have an intermittant problem it sounds like a fuel pump or electrical connection somewhere.

HTH

 

My mechanic and I pulled the boots on the coil pack and he said it had a great spark. He checked my compresion and it had 150 on all 6 cyl. I was thinking the fuel pump as well. It seems to me like the problem is getting more and more common. All day today, the starter turns for a couple seconds (too long) before it kicks over.
Thanks for the advice.