Intermittent Starting Issues

[96SS10SS]

I will keep an eye on the code coming back. I cleared it and if it comes back it will be time for a new sensor too.

Here’s a startup video from a few days ago. https://youtu.be/48EMLQMQKsQ

It’s what has become a typical slow cold start with stabilitrak lights and message. I will pull up an engine wiring diagram and check all of the grounds that I can access under the hood. Is there a way to check for poor grounding with a multimeter? Sorry for the n00b questions, I’ve never had to track down an electrical issue on this car before.

[Spec]

Sorry, I may have missed it... but did you replace the starter yet?

Per your video, your issues are exactly what I was going through when starting (and all the dash lights lit up) before I swapped out the starter.

[Hellfighter]

check your spark plug wires, if one of em laying on the header, i had mine melt and all that popped up and started to sputter in midst driving.

[96SS10SS]

The new starter is going in Monday. I’m anxious to see if that solves the problem. I hope that’s it! I am having some other stuff done and will be getting new plug wires at the same time. I will report back with results.

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by 96SS10SS

The new starter is going in Monday. I’m anxious to see if that solves the problem. I hope that’s it! I am having some other stuff done and will be getting new plug wires at the same time. I will report back with results.

Wouldn’t think a bad starter could cause that CEL code. Bad plug wires maybe but I would think you'd also get misfire code(s) ?

[96SS10SS]

That’s what is very strange about it, the car’s computer is giving me nothing to go on. The techs aren’t witnessing what I see first thing in the morning either so it’s hard to describe it and expect them to come up with an answer. The engine light today was the first hint as to what could be going wrong after months of intermittent starting issues. I hear the crankshaft sensor is behind the starter so maybe I will have that replaced too.

[Spec]

Originally Posted by 96SS10SS

That’s what is very strange about it, the car’s computer is giving me nothing to go on. The techs aren’t witnessing what I see first thing in the morning either so it’s hard to describe it and expect them to come up with an answer. The engine light today was the first hint as to what could be going wrong after months of intermittent starting issues. I hear the crankshaft sensor is behind the starter so maybe I will have that replaced too.

Shit went haywire on my end too... the problem is that everything depends on everything else. And when you have one electrical issue, then strange electrical issues will happen else where. The starter was the fix for me on this issue... but I have already replaced my BCM once and I'm at 130k and, well, the problems could have been related, or not........

Just swap out the starter to start. As mentioned, similarly to yours mine acted weird... I even once turned it on... barely, ran it then it started to misfire. Immediately turned it off... waited a good 20 minutes, then cranked it back up and it started normally without all the dash lights coming on. Its a frustrating, scary ordeal for sure because you begin to think about all these things going haywire, when its often just one thing causing the electrical issues.

Again, hope those that said its the starter are correct and that's that like it was with mine.

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by Spec

Shit went haywire on my end too... the problem is that everything depends on everything else. And when you have one electrical issue, then strange electrical issues will happen else where. The starter was the fix for me on this issue... but I have already replaced my BCM once and I'm at 130k and, well, the problems could have been related, or not........

Just swap out the starter to start. As mentioned, similarly to yours mine acted weird... I even once turned it on... barely, ran it then it started to misfire. Immediately turned it off... waited a good 20 minutes, then cranked it back up and it started normally without all the dash lights coming on. Its a frustrating, scary ordeal for sure because you begin to think about all these things going haywire, when its often just one thing causing the electrical issues.

Again, hope those that said its the starter are correct and that's that like it was with mine.

Did you ever get any CEL ?

[Spec]

Originally Posted by camguynj

Did you ever get any CEL ?

I don't recall if I did or not... perhaps not since I do not recall having to reset any codes.

However, I can see how if there is an electrical issue, and you're not getting enough juice to the plug wires, then your can can misfire and pop a code. This can happen all over the place. If the current is flipped because of a ground issue or an interrupt in the circuit... I can definitely see this happening.

[96SS10SS]

The new starter is in. It’s a Powermaster 9201. It has started the engine strong everytime on the click and release start method like it did before. I have not been listening for the fuel pump since it has started each time. I had the Crank Sensor replaced while the starter was out to be on the safe side.

Thanks for all of the advice, it was driving me nuts. Ever since the cam went in, things have just gone downhill. Now I have a leaking rear main (after 9k miles on the engine) and a driver axle seal leak. It never ends.

[Spec]

Originally Posted by 96SS10SS

The new starter is in. It’s a Powermaster 9201. It has started the engine strong everytime on the click and release start method like it did before. I have not been listening for the fuel pump since it has started each time. I had the Crank Sensor replaced while the starter was out to be on the safe side.

Thanks for all of the advice, it was driving me nuts. Ever since the cam went in, things have just gone downhill. Now I have a leaking rear main (after 9k miles on the engine) and a driver axle seal leak. It never ends.

Just checking in to see your results. I missed your post. Feels good to have it start strong again don't it.

[96SS10SS]

Yes, just turn, click and crank. Just like when it was new. Don’t have to worry about that anymore.

I only had to replace a starter once before on an 88 Civic. It just completely stopped working. I wish this one had just quit so I didn’t have to deal with it as long as I did.

Thanks for all of the help. That’s why I love this forum. Now on to the next problem.