QuestionQUESTION: The following are the problems I need help with.
Over the past few years my 2003 Accent has been taking "fits" One day it can be running like a top and then out of the blue, when I try and start it, all it will do is roll, but not kick. After a while of messing with it, (trying to start it in neutral) I was told it may be a transmission switch not recognizing that it's in park. When I try this, sometimes it will not move out of park until after I bump the key, then it will move through it's gears. But this method to get it to start still does not remedy it. After a while it just starts right up as if there was nothing wrong. The last time it took this "fit",I turned the key ahead to see if the fuel pump was coming on and the ignition dinger would go off for about 5 seconds and then stop. I couldn't hear the fuel pump. I checked fuses and then just let it alone for a bit. I tried the key again, I could hear the fuel pump coming on and it was no longer dinging when I turned the key ahead. Total confusion. Another problem is that at night the dash lights will come on and off at there own pace. Not all the time, or every night, only sometimes. As far as the starting "fits" this happens about every 6 months on average, usually taking a "fit" a couple times a month in the same month.
ANSWER: Unfortunately, I don't know what you're using the words "roll" and "kick" to indicate. If you can answer the following, it'll help me understand what is occurring:
1. Does the starter motor run when you attempt to start the car?
2. If yes, does it turn the engine?
3. If yes, does the engine start?
4. If no, was the engine turning slower or faster than normal?
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QUESTION: Answers:
1. Yes, the starter is turning over fine
2. Yes, the engine is rolling freely
3. No, the engine won't start.
4. The engine turns over at it's normal speed as if it's going to start.
"Roll" indicates the engine turning over and "kick" indicates the point at which the engine starts combustion.
AnswerOkay. This rules out the transmission range switch then. If that isn't working properly, the starter motor will not be able to run. The bad news, however, is that there are still a number of possibilities. Since it's intermittent, we can presume that your timing belt is okay. If it weren't, your car wouldn't go back to starting up.
The next step is to try to determine what sort of problem you're having. When the problem happens again, try to figure out the following:
1. Does your check engine lamp come on for at least a few seconds when you attempt to start the car? If not, suspect a problem with the engine control module (ECM) or something that would prevent it from powering up properly (such as a faulty ignition switch or ECM relay).
2. Do you get spark from the spark plugs when cranking? If the check engine lamp comes on and you have no spark, you should suspect the crank sensor, the primary input the ECM needs to see to determine when to fire the injectors and spark plugs.
3. Do you have fuel pressure? If the check engine lamp comes on and you don't have fuel pressure, you should suspect things like the fuel pump relay or perhaps a burned connector at the fuel pump, or even a poor ground for the fuel pump.
