Hard Start Symptom
Step
| Action
| Value(s)
| Yes
| No
|
Definition: The engine cranks OK,
but does not start for a long time. The engine eventually runs, or may start
but then immediately stalls.
|
1
| Did you perform the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) System Check?
| --
|
Go to Step 2
| Go to the
Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
|
2
|
- Perform a bulletin search.
- If a bulletin that addresses the symptom is present, correct the
condition as instructed in the bulletin.
Was a bulletin found that addresses the symptom?
| --
|
Go to Step 20
|
Go to Step
3
|
3
| Did you perform a visual/physical check?
| --
|
Go to Step 4
| Go to
Symptoms
for Visual /Physical Check.
|
4
| Check the Engine Coolant Temperature
(ECT) sensor for being shifted in the value. With the engine completely cool,
compare the Engine Coolant Temperature to the Intake Air Temperature.
Are the ECT and the IAT within the specified value of each other?
| +/-3°C
(+/-5°F)
|
Go to Step 8
|
Go to Step 5
|
5
|
- Display the engine coolant temperature and note the value with
a scan tool.
- Check the resistance of the engine coolant temperature sensor.
- Refer to Temperature vs Resistance
for the resistance specifications.
Does the resistance correspond with the temperature?
| --
|
Go to Step 7
|
Go to Step 6
|
6
| Replace the ECT sensor.
Is the action complete?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
| |
7
| Locate and repair the high resistance or the poor connection in the
ECT signal circuit or the ECT sensor ground.
Is the action complete?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
| |
8
|
- Check for a damaged, plugged, or incorrectly installed crankcase
ventilation valve.
- If a problem is present, repair as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
9
|
9
|
- Check for water or alcohol contaminated fuel with a J 39383-A
tool. Refer to
Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis
.
- If a problem is present, repair as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
10
|
10
|
- Perform
Fuel System Diagnosis
.
- If a problem is present, repair as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
11
|
11
|
Important: Spray the secondary ignition wires with a light mist of water in order
to help locate an intermittent problem. The ignition components will arc to
ground when a secondary component is malfunctioning. Refer to
Ignition System Check
.
Visually/physically inspect the secondary ignition wires. Check for
the following conditions:
• | Measure the resistance of the spark plug wires. The resistance
for cylinders 1, 3, 5 should be within the first range. Cylinders 2, 4, 6
should be within the second range. |
• | Check the ignition wires for cross firing. |
• | Check the ignition wires arcing to ground. |
• | Check the ignition wires for improper routing. |
If a problem is present, repair as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| 7-9K ohms
2-6K ohms
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
12
|
12
|
- Check for a proper ignition coil output voltage with the spark
tester J 26792
(ST 125):
• | Clip the spark tester J 26792
to engine ground. |
• | Connect one end of a spark plug wire to the spark tester J 26792
; leave the other end of
the spark plug wire connected to the coil being tested. |
• | Disconnect the spark plug wire from the other spark plug on the
same coil being tested, and ground the wire. |
• | Crank the engine while observing the spark tester J 26792
; a crisp blue spark should be observed. |
• | Repeat the above steps for each coil. |
- If an adequate spark is not present at all of the coils, repair
as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
13
|
13
|
- Remove the spark plugs. Check the spark plugs for the following
conditions:
• | carbon tracking on the insulator |
Notice: Determine the cause of the oil or gas fouled spark plugs in order to
avoid damage to the new spark plugs.
- If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
14
|
14
|
- Check the primary connections at the ignition coil assembly. Refer
to Electrical Diagnosis in Engine Electrical, and Troubleshooting Procedures
for the proper procedure. Also, refer to Checking Terminal Contact in
Engine Control Module Diagnosis
.
- If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
15
|
15
|
- Check the ignition coils for any cracks or carbon tracking.
- If a problem is present, replace the ignition coil assembly.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
16
|
16
|
- Check the ignition coil secondary resistance.
- Replace the ignition coil assembly if any of the coils are not
within the specified values.
Was a problem found?
| 10-14 k ohms at 20°C (68°F)
|
Go to Step 20
|
Go to Step 17
|
17
|
- Check the IAC operation.
- If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
18
|
18
|
- Check for the following Engine Mechanical problems. Refer to Engine Mechanical
:
• | A hydraulic valve lifter problem |
• | Leaking cylinder head gaskets |
- If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
19
|
19
|
- Review all of the diagnostic procedures within this table.
- If all of the procedures have been completed and no malfunctions
have been found, review/inspect the following:
• | Perform a visual/physical inspection. |
• | All of the electrical connections within a suspected circuit and/or
system |
- If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.
Was a problem found?
| --
|
Go to Step
20
|
Go to Step
3
|
20
| Operate the vehicle under the same conditions (as closely
as possible) as when the original symptom occurred.
Is the original symptom still present?
| --
|
Go to Step 3
| The repair is complete. If another driveability symptom
exists, refer to
Symptoms
.
|