Here is a time line of what has happened and the results:
Prior to beginning I had a check engine light on with the following 4 codes: 1x catalytic converter code, 3x misfire codes (cylinder #4)
So, Friday: I changed:
- air filter
- oil
- oil filter
- rotated tires
- cleaned brakes
- added sea foam (fuel injector cleaner)
- changed the spark plugs
After this the car ran very bad. We drove it for hours to use up all the gas and work out the "gunk" that may have been "cleaned" by the sea foam. To no avail, finally Saturday night
- Replaced the fuel filter
Ran very smooth, test drove vehicle approx 5 miles, smooth driving, plenty of power, shifts just fine, idles fine.
Sunday morning: would not start. So, I checked:
- spark plugs, they were dry (no fuel there)
- spark plugs did have spark
- fuel line after fuel filter before injectors, lots of fuel coming through when cranking engine
- fuel line return, after injectors, fuel flowing back to tank when cranking engine
Finally during troubleshooting the engine started. BUT it wasn't anything we did while troubleshooting.
Monday: Next morning, won't start (cranks fine, seems like no fuel), by noon, it started
I checked the EGI relay, switched A/C compressor relay and EGI, no change, when I put them back, the A/C relay didn't work, purchased another A/C relay, A/C compressor works just fine now. I feel like I need to find out why the A/C relay stopped working, any suggestions?
A friend, Mark (Thanks Mark), stopped by. by this time the vehicle was running. He:
- suggested I clean the battery terminals
- checked the wires going to the injectors (no apparent damage)
- "listened" to each injector, sounded fine
Tuesday evening:
- cleaned battery terminals
- drove to AutoZone, had battery checked for charge, 100%
- rechecked check engine light, now only 2 codes: P0304 (I believe) misfire cylinder 4 and the second code was the coolant temp sensor - (not surprising, as i found the red wire had broken off during an inspection of the engine)
- Look toward the center of the picture, here is the zoomed in view
Now Wednesday morning: Won't start, cranks fine.
I am posting this blog to see if I can get any advice out there.
Has anyone heard of a problem like this? Please post
Won't start in the morning, does start in the afternoon. Not doing anything to the vehicle.
Any advice/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your assistance,
Clint
It sounds like ignition issues. Check out this post: http://repairpal.com/cranks-but-wont-start-was-running-ok-026
ReplyDeleteThank you Texan. This looks like it will be a good link for information
Deletedid you do the rotor, cap and wires when you changed the plugs?
ReplyDeletedid you check the gap on all the new plugs?
like Texas said, it sound like ignition and if you only changed the plugs and did not do the whole job... might be why...
Rotor, cap and wires...no
DeleteGap on new plugs... yes
also check the number 4 spark plug wire. make sure it is connected fermly on both ends and it is conductive... no beaks so the eclecticity goes though it...
ReplyDeleteI checked the #4 spark plug this morning (6-26) when it wouldn't start
DeleteI tried checking continuity through the #4 wire, didn't get any, wanting to double check, I put the spark plug in the wire, put the wire on the cap and held the spark plug to the engine to see if I had spark, and I did. That's when I received a couple of shocks through the wire.
How many miles? If high mileage, could be worn wire in the ignition system (hard to find). You probably have electronic ignition, so no points. Could be the plug wires or cap; easy fix. Just some thoughts.
ReplyDelete170,000.
DeleteThe wire to the coolant temperature sensor was broken, I was able to fix that this morning and the van started right up.
I am thinking about changing the wires to see if that will clear up the Misfire for #4 cylinder
Did you check all your plugs, to see if they were firing? Which brand did you install? Plugs will sometimes break down like this (usually not the new ones).
ReplyDeleteI just replaced all spark plugs, haven't checked them all for spark, only #2 and #4. Don't remember the brand, they were the inexpensive ones.
DeleteHave you tried a hair dryer in the morning? Could heat up an area that you think might be the culprit, then see if it will start. Might be helpful.
ReplyDeleteWell, this morning the van didn't start, I was able to fix the wire that goes to the coolant temp sensor and the van started right up. Also, all the check engine lights went out. After driving a little while longer the check engine light did come back on. I anticipate this to be the misfire on cylinder 4. I will check with AutoZone this afternoon to see why the check engine light is on.
ReplyDelete