Cold Crank, 2nd Try.

[zzzhuh]

When I try to start my GT (when it's cold) it sometimes doesn't start on the first try.


It has 8,000 miles on it, and the dealer told me not to give it any gas when I start it, so I just turn the key.


I'm wondering how this compares with other GT's. Do you give it any gas before a cold crank? How quickly does it start if you don't?


Thanks.

[PK Cruiser]

(knock on wood) mine always starts right up, even in cold weather (which is long past here in Georgia). I never give her any gas, and haven't seen any problems yet...

[flashbk2]

You should never give any fi(fuel injected) car gas to start . Read your owners manual. Turn key on listen for fuel pump turn-on and crank motor . If you're giving it gas you're probbably causing the issue.

[GTPT]

The only reason for using the accelerator was for carburated vehicles. It was primarily done to engage the choke plate.
Phil

[Exhaust Depot]

My SRT has dont that a couple of times also. I could crank it till the battery dies and it would not sstart. On the second try it works.

SOunds like the PCM and some sensors are not up to par at times. It has nothing to do with you putting your foot on the gas.

[COP TZER]

like flashbk2, you should engage the fuel and oil pump by turning the key so that electronics come on line, then wait 3-5 seconds . Then turn on the engine. This will allow for better starts all the time...it's also better for the motor

[zzzhuh]

Great advice, Thanks!

Before this '03 PT, the newest vehicle I'd owned was a 1972 Ford V8 Van. Before that was a 1970 V8 Mercury Cougar, and before that was a 1968 V8 Olds Cutlass.

The Fuel Injection and all is still new to me.

[Mean Green]

Mine is sometimes hard to start the first time, too, though it does start. I'll give Cop Tzer's advice a try.

[dgc333]

FYI, few points on comments in this thread.

The fuel pump will only run for a second or two after turning on the key unless it sees a signal from the crank trigger that the engine is turning over (and this may be rpm dependent). This is a safety feature that prevents the fuel pump from pumping gas onto the ground if the car is involved in an accident that ruptures the fuel line. So turning the key on and waiting for anything more than a second does no good. However, if an injector is leaking down turn the key on an off a few times may cycle the pump enough to get the pressure (certainly a resonable explanation for starting on the second try).

The oil pump is mechanical and requires the engine to be turning over to generate pressure, so turning on the key does no good unless of course you purchased an aftermarket pre-oiler that maintains oil pressure when the engine is not running.

As others have stated there is no choke to set so the normal procedure for starting a FI engine is not to touch the gas. However, FI cars can be flooded just like a carburated car if an injector happens to stick. If the engine does not start after a second or so of cranking with a including more than one key cycle it could be flooded. Holding the throttle to the floor, just like you do for a carburated car will work if it's been flooded. My Avenger does this every once in awhile and holding the throttle to the floor works.

[zzzhuh]

Yep, That was why. Turning the key, then waiting a second or two before turning on the engine starts it on the first try.

A new trick for this old dog.

Thanks!