QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1995 Concorde and on occasion i have trouble starting it. sometimes i turn the key and it starts right up and other times it take 2 or 3 shots to start. also i have heard a buzzing sound in between try's
ANSWER: Hi Scott,
The buzzing may just be the fuel pump which always will run for a second or so if you leave the key in the run position before trying the starter. Otherwise if is is loud buzz from under the hood it could be the starter solenoid not kicking out the bendix gear to engage the flex plate, or even a weak battery.
If it is an ignition/mixture problem it may have set a fault code: use the ignition switch--"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less. Then watch for the check engine light to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashed before each pause. Repeat the whole thing to be sure you have the correct counts. Group the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form 2-digit numbers which are fault codes. Then go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code translator. Or write me back and we can figure out what is going on. The last code is always 55 which means end of readout so ignore that one.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi Roland
I guess i should have mention the buzzing sound was coming from under the hood, it sounds like it's coming from the firewall area, it wasn't a the sound you get from the fuel pump. I checked the codes but the only one was the 55 code
Thanks
Scott
ANSWER: Hi Scott,
The absence of codes so far means we don't need to look there. Please have a helper try to start it while you are under the hood looking/listening for what is buzzing.
Also, do you mean that the starter motor doesn't work, or that it works but the engine won't catch and run?
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi Roland
The starter seems to be working, when i turn the key it cranks but won't start, but when I try it again and turn the key just before i engage the starter i hear a buzz from under the hood and it starts. could it be a Module or relay?
Scott
AnswerHi Scott,
Modules (powertrain or transmission) usually don't buzz. Relays are more likely to do so if they are marginally functioning (the sound is the magnetic switch mechanism which should click once rather than buzz). But again, you can't go anywhere with this until you actually observe from under the hood exactly what is making the noise. So get a helper to operate the key while you listen from a better vantage point. Open the rectangular box near the battery where there are several relays including the one at the right rear which is the "autoshutdown" relay which has to actuate (click) and hold in order for the fuel pump and spark coil to get power to provide fuel and spark to the combustion chambers.
Roland
