Please help me fix my baby
02-17-2010, 06:59 PM
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Please help me fix my baby
Ok, So I have been searching around the site for a while now and couldn't really tell exactly what I need to do.
SPECS:
2004 GT 6/S
103,000 miles
new plugs
hollowed cat
Zoom Zoom treatment done about 8,000 miles ago
I had my car into the dealership a few weeks ago for a slow start issue(4-5 seconds holding the key to start) and a loss of power and CEL. The dealer uncovered that my cat was clogged and the O2 sensor in the cat needed to be replaced along with the cat, I couldn't see spending the 2,800$ to replace the cat so I took it home, took off the cat and hollowed it out.
The difference in power was night and day, almost like driving it for the first time, I still haven't replaced the O2 sensor however so the CEL light is still on, but I noticed that about a month after hollowing out the cat it got really hard to start the car. I have to hold the key on for 8 to 10 seconds (it would take me 4-5 seconds before) to get the engine to turn over enough to start but it always starts.
I have read posts that the starter in the 2004 is weak and that I should replace that, I have also seen that the coils should be replaced, and saw that the compression could also be weak, however the dealer checked the compression when I took it in for the cat and they said I had good strong compression. I am so lost as what could be the problem, the car runs great when i get it started.
I don't see how the bad O2 sensor could cause the starting problem so I am leaning toward the starter issue, and I have no idea when or if the coils were ever changed, but I have no idea what a bad coil will do.
if anyone could please help diagnose or let me know if I am at least on the right track, or if the hollowed cat or bad O2 sensor are messing up my car. I know I need to replace the O2 sensor just figured I would do it all at once.
Sorry for all the info and I have searched around but keep seeing different responses to similar, but not the same, problems....
SPECS:
2004 GT 6/S
103,000 miles
new plugs
hollowed cat
Zoom Zoom treatment done about 8,000 miles ago
I had my car into the dealership a few weeks ago for a slow start issue(4-5 seconds holding the key to start) and a loss of power and CEL. The dealer uncovered that my cat was clogged and the O2 sensor in the cat needed to be replaced along with the cat, I couldn't see spending the 2,800$ to replace the cat so I took it home, took off the cat and hollowed it out.
The difference in power was night and day, almost like driving it for the first time, I still haven't replaced the O2 sensor however so the CEL light is still on, but I noticed that about a month after hollowing out the cat it got really hard to start the car. I have to hold the key on for 8 to 10 seconds (it would take me 4-5 seconds before) to get the engine to turn over enough to start but it always starts.
I have read posts that the starter in the 2004 is weak and that I should replace that, I have also seen that the coils should be replaced, and saw that the compression could also be weak, however the dealer checked the compression when I took it in for the cat and they said I had good strong compression. I am so lost as what could be the problem, the car runs great when i get it started.
I don't see how the bad O2 sensor could cause the starting problem so I am leaning toward the starter issue, and I have no idea when or if the coils were ever changed, but I have no idea what a bad coil will do.
if anyone could please help diagnose or let me know if I am at least on the right track, or if the hollowed cat or bad O2 sensor are messing up my car. I know I need to replace the O2 sensor just figured I would do it all at once.
Sorry for all the info and I have searched around but keep seeing different responses to similar, but not the same, problems....
02-17-2010, 07:03 PM
#2
O2 sensor won't lead to hard start - it will be coils or starter.
Low Load issues like this = fuel, air, spark
Verify Fuel is OK, Obviously you are getting air (assuming compression is good), the next step is spark.... pull your plugs and check them out, if they look all crappy and gunked up, replace them and do your coils too just to be safe.
If the plugs look fine then look at a new starter. Also does it do it cold and warm or only warm?
Low Load issues like this = fuel, air, spark
Verify Fuel is OK, Obviously you are getting air (assuming compression is good), the next step is spark.... pull your plugs and check them out, if they look all crappy and gunked up, replace them and do your coils too just to be safe.
If the plugs look fine then look at a new starter. Also does it do it cold and warm or only warm?
02-17-2010, 08:01 PM
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It does it both warm and cold, seems to take a little longer when it is warm but still 8-10 seconds turning over to start when cold..... I just replaced the plugs probably 8,000 miles ago when i noticed the car starting to start slower and it has progressively gotten worse ..... how do I know if my coils are going bad? I probably will replace the plug wires too since I don't know how old they are either.....
02-19-2010, 01:26 PM
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ok, I just ordered the starter today along with a new O2 sensor, the battery is an interstate battery that is only a few months old, I am having problems locating plug wires and coil packs for a reasonable price.... any suggestions... I will have the starter and O2 sensor (down stream) on Sunday so I will post the results then....
Once again... if you know of a place to order coil packs and plug wires please let me know..... I don't have a problem paying a little more money if they are worth it....
Once again... if you know of a place to order coil packs and plug wires please let me know..... I don't have a problem paying a little more money if they are worth it....
Last edited by ZUMZUM_RX8; 02-19-2010 at 01:29 PM.
02-20-2010, 06:49 PM
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ok, I just swapped out the starter and the O2 sensor... now the car wouln't start at all... it cranks over but just keeps trying to crank, almost as if I am not getting any spark..... guess its going to be new plugs and coil packs..... any other thoughts on my the car will not start at all now?
02-21-2010, 03:37 AM
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ya i would change the coils and starter. 8-10 secs is long to start a car... Its not normal. I have the upgraded starter and mine starts in 1 sec with the occasionnal 2 secs start. Bad coils can ruin your plugs so I would change them again if I was you.
Clean your MAF sensor too and reset your fuel trims with the brake pedal trick. Give it a fresh start.
Clean your MAF sensor too and reset your fuel trims with the brake pedal trick. Give it a fresh start.
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