Slow starting

MrOldLude · 12-09-2009, 10:46 AM

Car: 2009 R18, no mods, bone-stock, not abused, about 4000 miles on the clock.

So this is an issue that has been happening randomly. It's happened in warm weather, and cold. Most days, it's fine, and starts strongly. Other days, I'll crank the engine, but instead of firing up like it normally does, I'll have to crank the engine for several seconds. Like 4-5seconds, then it'll start, idle a little rough for a couple seconds and idle normally. (the idle thing might be caused by a bunch of unburnt fuel being pushed through the cylinder)

I always listen for the fuel-pump to turn on, and turn off, so the injectors do have pressure.

Other days it'll start okay, but idle rough for a second or two.

As far as I've seen, it only happens on cold starts. My question is: Has anyone else had this happen? This really isn't normal operation, and since it's kind of random, taking it to the stealership might not be any help if they can't duplicate the problem. Any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks,

Bryan 07'CoupeEX · 12-09-2009, 07:12 PM

This happens to my r18 also. I have been turning the key the the second position and waiting for the electrical components to start up and then crank the engine on. This seems to take that lag time away. I think it has to do with the load on the battery to get everything going in the car at the same time. I could easily be wrong though.

Hopefully someone else with some knowledge on this can chime in.

apples5 · 12-10-2009, 12:13 AM

I get this too (09 ex) at random times. I don't pay attention to the ambient temperature or anything else. I use to get it on my suby whenever i didnt drive the car for 2+ days. BUT my delays are closer to the 2-3 second range. 4-5 is quite a while, but iono--maybe it's normal

alanluong · 12-10-2009, 12:17 AM

i have a 08 Si, Didnt drive the car for 2 days, and noticed a lag when starting mines also.

av911 · 12-10-2009, 12:23 AM

The stock batteries on these cars are pretty weak. I had to replace mine after 4 years, with 550CCA, and no matter how cold it is, it starts up immediately.

MrOldLude · 12-11-2009, 12:06 PM

The only thing which doesn't totally make sense about it being a battery issue is the current draw. The engine cranks at a normal speed, it's just the actually the delay between the crank and when the combusion cycle begins to sustain itself is curious. (plus I believe the starter pulls much more amperage than the ignition, so I wouldn't immediately suspect the batter is weak). I suppose I'll just wait, and consider a better battery in the future. Perhaps new plugs too.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

JoeFromPA · 12-11-2009, 12:54 PM

Most likely your fuel system is re-pressurizing. When your car sits, the fuel rails de-pressurize. When you turn your car to the "on" position, the fuel pump whirs behind you for about 2 seconds. This is it re-priming the system.

Try turning to the "on" position, waiting about 2-3 seconds, and then cranking. If it goes away, there's what you are experiencing.

FYI, my car is slowly taking longer to start (78k miles now). However, I'm running on the stock spark plugs and valve adjustment.....so, it's to be expected

Joe

P.s. Upgrading to an Interstate battery did absolutely nothing to shorten my start time. It just doesn't slow down at all in the cold anymore.

12-09-2009, 10:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
MrOldLude Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wendy's Age: 29 Posts: 11 Dave Thomas	Slow starting Car: 2009 R18, no mods, bone-stock, not abused, about 4000 miles on the clock. So this is an issue that has been happening randomly. It's happened in warm weather, and cold. Most days, it's fine, and starts strongly. Other days, I'll crank the engine, but instead of firing up like it normally does, I'll have to crank the engine for several seconds. Like 4-5seconds, then it'll start, idle a little rough for a couple seconds and idle normally. (the idle thing might be caused by a bunch of unburnt fuel being pushed through the cylinder) I always listen for the fuel-pump to turn on, and turn off, so the injectors do have pressure. Other days it'll start okay, but idle rough for a second or two. As far as I've seen, it only happens on cold starts. My question is: Has anyone else had this happen? This really isn't normal operation, and since it's kind of random, taking it to the stealership might not be any help if they can't duplicate the problem. Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks,
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12-11-2009, 12:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
MrOldLude Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wendy's Age: 29 Posts: 11 Dave Thomas	The only thing which doesn't totally make sense about it being a battery issue is the current draw. The engine cranks at a normal speed, it's just the actually the delay between the crank and when the combusion cycle begins to sustain itself is curious. (plus I believe the starter pulls much more amperage than the ignition, so I wouldn't immediately suspect the batter is weak). I suppose I'll just wait, and consider a better battery in the future. Perhaps new plugs too. Thanks for the replies, everyone. Last edited by MrOldLude; 12-11-2009 at 12:08 PM.

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12-09-2009, 07:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bryan 07'CoupeEX Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo N.Y. Posts: 898	This happens to my r18 also. I have been turning the key the the second position and waiting for the electrical components to start up and then crank the engine on. This seems to take that lag time away. I think it has to do with the load on the battery to get everything going in the car at the same time. I could easily be wrong though. Hopefully someone else with some knowledge on this can chime in.

12-10-2009, 12:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
apples5 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 24	I get this too (09 ex) at random times. I don't pay attention to the ambient temperature or anything else. I use to get it on my suby whenever i didnt drive the car for 2+ days. BUT my delays are closer to the 2-3 second range. 4-5 is quite a while, but iono--maybe it's normal

12-10-2009, 12:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
alanluong Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arizona & Los Angeles Posts: 921 Alan	i have a 08 Si, Didnt drive the car for 2 days, and noticed a lag when starting mines also.

12-10-2009, 12:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
av911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco Age: 30 Posts: 3,311	The stock batteries on these cars are pretty weak. I had to replace mine after 4 years, with 550CCA, and no matter how cold it is, it starts up immediately.

12-11-2009, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
JoeFromPA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 29 Posts: 849	Most likely your fuel system is re-pressurizing. When your car sits, the fuel rails de-pressurize. When you turn your car to the "on" position, the fuel pump whirs behind you for about 2 seconds. This is it re-priming the system. Try turning to the "on" position, waiting about 2-3 seconds, and then cranking. If it goes away, there's what you are experiencing. FYI, my car is slowly taking longer to start (78k miles now). However, I'm running on the stock spark plugs and valve adjustment.....so, it's to be expected Joe P.s. Upgrading to an Interstate battery did absolutely nothing to shorten my start time. It just doesn't slow down at all in the cold anymore.

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