My car's been taking quite a while to start for the past few months, but it'll always start on the first try. It'll crank for 2-3 seconds, then sound like it's choking or skipping before starting. I had it looked at and was recommended to start with the deflooding procedure every time (hold down throttle, crank for about 2-3 seconds, release throttle). I've tried this and it completely prevents the choking sound...starts right up after releasing the throttle. Two questions about this:

1) From my, probably bad, description, does it sound like I've got the typical weak starter on an '05?

2) Is there any issue with always starting using that procedure? Any issue with allowing it to choke if I don't do it?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

 

I would recommend a compression test sounds like a classic case of your engine about to die

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give the local dealer a call and get a quote. General rule is they'll charge for the test and if the engine's bad, refund and replace under warranty, right? I'm still within the 8yr/100,000 mark.

 

There should be a invoice out there if your car had a upgrade starter put on it if not I think it is a recall on 04-05 I would ask about that first

 

Don't jump to conclusions, not every hard start issue is a dead engine. It could just be a weak battery, corrosion, or the starter issue. Get it tested. Does it only do this when hot? Or when cold?

 

^
Very true

 

I received that recommendation after having the battery (which is brand new), alternator, and starter motor looked at. All came back fine. I don't have the numbers on them though. It does this when both hot and cold. If cold, it'll crank longer before choking and starting. If warm, it cranks very briefly, chokes exactly the same, and then starts. In both cases, the choking can be avoided with the deflooding procedure.

Thank you both for your input.

 

Ya you might be in trouble compression might be low good luck

 

Well, when it is warmed up and running does it run well? Any loss of power? Have you done coils and plugs at all?

 

Yeah, it runs great once started up. I'm the second owner, but I've noticed no change in its performance since I've had it (about 10k miles). The plugs were replaced about 8k miles ago. I'm pretty sure the coils are still the stock ones. I know I should get them replaced soon, but, since I don't experience any loss of power, I wasn't sure if this problem was related.

 

Well, sometimes the power loss can be slow and unless you drive aggressively it might not be that noticeable. Just take it to the dealer and tell them it start hard when hot and you feel a loss of power. Don't offer up any more info other than that the plugs have been replaced.

 

Alright, thank you for the recommendation. I will do that and let you both know how it turns out. Thanks for the help

 

Just wanted to post back that I got it figured out. I tested the resistance across the leads on the leading coils and found the rotor 1 coil was bad. Replacing that one alone fixed the problem. I'll probably replace the rest soon, but this solved the starting issue. Thank you all for your suggestions and help.