QuestionI have an '02 Echo with 62k miles on it. I noticed a couple of times last week that it took an extra half second to start, but didn't think much of it until this morning when I had to crank it three times to get it to start.
The first two cranks it turned over nicely but wouldn't fire... I didn't hold it for more than 4-5 seconds. The third time I held it an extra second or two and it started fine.
I drove it 8 miles on the 4 lane with no issues. Turned it off in the parking lot, started it up 2x in a row with no hesitation. Tested it two more times after church with no hesitation and drove it home.
I just tested it again now after the car sat in the driveway for 8 hrs and had the same issue - 3-4 seconds of hesitation and then it started up.
Any ideas? I'm pretty sure it's not battery or electrical. Read some stuff elsewhere that indicates it's some kind of fuel problem. I have a 300 mile drive scheduled for Tuesday so I'm a little nervous. Not sure I can get it into a mechanic tomorrow or not.
Also, spark plugs were changed last month and it has a new alternator belt. As I said, it doesn't act like a run down battery either... no flickering lights and it cranks well every time.
AnswerAlthough not a common problem it may be that the fuel pump is not holding enough pressure to restart after it sits awhile, it has to be checked with a fuel pressure gauge attached to see if this is the problem, it could also be the EFI main relaytaking too long to close, the relay is located under the hood in the black fuse panel and it's location can be found from the diagram inside the cover.
