And if so, can I fix it with the fuel pump switch fix? Or what else do you guys suggest?

My car will start, sometimes. When it does start, it runs great, and never has any problems at any RPM, speed, or at idle. It has everything it needs... new battery, new belts, new plugs and wires, all that. (Prolly doesn't matter that much, I know.) But this is what happens: Sometimes, I'll turn the key, and the engine will crank, but not start--but if I push the accelerator while cranking, it will start, spewing smoke out the back. The telltale start of a flooded engine. Basically, if I can get it to crank, I can get it to start. However, about fifty percent of the time, it won't crank. All that happens is that there is a slight "buzzzbuzzuzzz" coming from the engine compartment while the key is in the start position and nothing else happens. The buzzing is really faint, as if the starter isn't even spinning. It doesn't even seem like the engine is *trying* to turn over. So I wonder if the problem isn't something else in the sequence before the engine even comes into play.

I've tried searching for answers but I don't even know if the problem *is* totally a flooding problem, so it's kind of hard to do a satisfactory keyword search. So, yeah, I'm pretty frustrated, and any suggestions would be great. Thanks for your patience.

 

I'm guessing your engine isn't turning over at all when you hear that buzzing sound. Is it kinda like a lower/louder version of a drill that is stuck? My car was doin that a while ago so i got a new starter and that took care of it.

Aaron

 

By pressing the pedal down during cranking, you are cutting fuel to the engine, so yes, the first part is a flooding problem. However the faint whirring noise sounds like a faulty starter. If you find it to be a faulty starter, and you own a non-turbo, I will give you a working starter for free! Good luck, and keep us posted!!

 

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but the *foot to the floor cutting off the fuel* is not a feature of the 86-88 model rx's. Only valid for 89 and newer. Yes, you have a bad starter solenoid OR a bad connection at the starter like a bad ground or large power wire nut loose. Oh. How about a bad connection on the battery itself? Next time it does that buzz thing, go around and make sure the posts connections are tight. I've heard that buzzzzz thing before and it was related to a loose connection on the batt.

 

You are correct HAILERS.&nbsp I got tired of correcting people on that one...



-Ted

 

Thank you.

 

You're all great, thanks. Rico, please email me at WeirdSafety@aol.com ... I'm going to PM you. I would love to hear from you about that starter. I do have a non turbo.

About the gas pedal... it does work to get the car to start. I don't know what it's doing now that you say it doesn't unflood, but whatever it does... does help.

The battery is good, good terminals, good connections there. It would start a lot more reliably when I put the new battery in.

Thanks, all.

 

Yeah, the floor it method works on my 87 and my 84 gslse. Not sure why. Maybe when the injectors leak, they need to be purged by flooring it, or possibly the throttle needs to be open wider to burn the excess fuel. I'm not sure. But it definitly works, though.

Definitly sounds like your car is flooding. The starter thing sounds like a deadspot, or inadequate voltage getting to the starter.

You didn't mentionwhat you do when this happens. Do you roll start the car? Or just try the key again?

 

When this happens, I just have to leave the car. If I can get it to crank, I can start it. But like I said, if it doesn't even try to turn over, that's about all I can do. Could I install new fuel injectors, or is the leakage the fault of the ECU?

 

Oh yeah, heading out of town now until Sunday night, so I'll reply to posts then.