Hey guys I have been having an issue with my 8 slow starting for about 2 or 3 weeks now and I cant seem to solve the problem. The problem exist during cold and warm starts. I've done some research and have used the search bar but have yet to find my answer. I went to the closest auto part store and had my battery, alternator, and starter checked out and all is good. Spark plugs, coils and wires are new with probably than 5k. I am thinking that my fuel pump may be going. Can I please get some help on this?

 

What year is your 8, mileage, manual or auto.
Any idea if it has upgraded starter?

 

2004, 81k, manual and the starter is upgraded.

 

how old is your battery?

 

the battery is probably going on a year now.

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If the battery is good and you can't find any other issues with the starter, you may wanna get a compression test done. Will cost you some $$. You can search it online to see what it means.

 

I have a question. When you crank it over. Is the issue that it CRANKS slow, or that it takes longer to start?

 

It takes longer to start.

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Then yea it's time for a compressino test. That sounds like the motors done.

 

Man that sucks. Thanks for the advice guys.

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How would you assume i have before it doesnt start anymore?

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Also what are other symptoms of low compression since we are on the topic? I thought it would involve misfires and unburnt fuel.

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The key signature is long starts. It starts with long HOT starts because the housings expand more than the rotors. It moves to hot and cold once your really on your last leg. Take it to the dealership and have a compression test done. Which starter do you have?

 

I have the upgraded starter but i did disconnect my battery for an extended period of time while i tested my starter which checked out good. I swapped my coils for another set that i have and reset my ess. Now my warm and cold starts are back to normal. I never hit the long warm start phase. Instead my car went straight to long warm and cold starts.

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N3h1a or N3Z1? So you replaced your coils and reset the ESS and now everythings fine?

 

N3Z1. Yea pretty much. I did a cold start and then two warm starts. all of them were good.

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Okay then. Did you have a flashing CEL?

 

No CELs what so ever.

 

Then im going to go ahead and say it's not the coils. The issue may have gone away for a moment but i would keep an eye on it. It may very well be the fuel pump. But you had signature symptoms of a dieing motor. If a coil would have been going bad it would have sent the code for a misfire. Misfire's ALWAYS have flashing CEL. There is no doubt there. Was any major maint done before this issue started happening?

 

If it is a low compression issue then it should crank FASTER when hot because there is less compression for the starter to overcome. Might not indicate on the Tach, but the pitch should be higher.

One of the most overlooked shortcomings with our electrical system is the battery terminal. The stock ones are stamped metal and worthless. The battery and starter could both be good, but if the terminals are making bad contact you will have trouble starting. With your problems I'd start there, especially since they are cheap.

 

Prior to this issue occurring I had reflashed with an MM tune. I was thinking that it may have been a bad connection on either the starter on battery.

 

Well Im going to agree with Harlan. Upgrade your battery terminals as well. But in any sense im glad she's running good again.

 

Im glad she is too. Thanks guys for the assistance.

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