The other day I checked out the car I'm going to buy. When I started it up, it felt like there was some type of hesitation... It wasn't really bad or anything, but I did notice it. The owner turned on the car and said it has always been like that. He is the 2nd owner of the car, he bought the car from his dad(who bought it new.) I'm not sure what's wrong with it. I think it may be something with the ignition. This is the first time I've driven a 3rd gen. so it may just sound different starting it up rather than my '87. But, it didn't sound quite right. Any suggestions anyone? thanks

 

Was the engine at idle or where you driving when you felt the hesitation? Did/does it quit after the engine warms up to normal water temp?

 

Do you really mean more like a stumble? Mine will do that as it's warming up, usually as the rpms are dropping from 1500 to 1100 or so. Then it smooths out. I wonder is this is the ECU messing with the timing and idle speed control to warm up the engine. Could also be the O2 sensor warming up and giving real (or non-real ) air fuel numbers... Hmmm

 

I had a slight hesitation when I turned the key....later, it would just not kick the ignition on.....eventually, I had my rotorhead look at it, cause I couldn't start it every now and then. This was not a regular occurrence, only sporadically. He added a relay between the ignition and starter, which seemed to fix it.

Then 3 months later, I couldn't start it sitting in the driveway. Checked the battery, even put a trickle charge overnight, still wouldn't start. Tried to jump and still wouldn't start.

I had AAA tow (used a flatbed only) it to my rotorhead's shop.

Problem was the ignition kill circuit board part of the alarm. Board was replaced ($215 for part) and she starts every time.

I could have just cut the wire to the ignition kill and been all right, but I like that part of the stock alarm system.

Back to your prob......when He (Maztech) added the relay, he said that he had done that to several 3rd gens lately, as they were all sporadically not able to start up.

You may want to check it out.

 

Fairly often I have to turn the key in the switch several times to get the starter to engage......fairly common problem judging by what I and others here have reported.

 

I'm not sure. The car idles fine. And as far as I know it drives fine too. It's just when ever I turn the key...there is a slight hesitation of wanting to turn on. I hope it's no big deal, but I plan on taking the car to get a tune up sometime anyways. thanks alot.