Thread: car starting problem

2 posts in one day- holy smokes this is fun!!!
said no one ever.
08 base GP. cleaned throttle body yesterday. fired up and ran smooooooooth after. i posted about the A/C light not working and AC not coming on buuuuuut thats working this morning.
car runnin great. took my mutts to the dog park. get done car rolls over strong, attempts to start then dies.
attempts to start meaning it does start but dies in about 2 seconds. try to start it again immediately. starter sticks in start mode for a few seconds even after letting go of the key and doesnt even attempt to fire.
shut key off, do it again, same scenario.
one thing i noticed, which i cant say i ever noticed it before, is the anti theft light blinking. idk if that has something .

any clue on WTH is wrong? where to start?

Originally Posted by FordMan77

Do you have a second key for it? If so try that.

2 key fobs 1 key.

go out this morning it cranks (rolls over0 strong but no attempt to start.
gonna check spark and go from there

got spark. went to rent a fuel pressure tester and AZ. gonna have to wait until tomorrow as they have em rented out atm

quickj question:
is the anti theft light supposed to be flashing all of the time?

update: i did an anti theft reprogram thing that says to try to start the car, leave key in on position for 10 minutes,then try to start. it started but now its running rough and have a P0300 code which says is random multiple misfires.
now wth?? it was running perfectly smooth before this

update: fuel pressure 56 psi w/ key off. 58 running.
found out i had a cracked coil pack for 1/4( botttom one looking from the front). no spark from that pack. flipped coil packs around. still no spark at 1/4. ICM?

Originally Posted by FordMan77

Quite possible. I had a cracked coil take out my ICM once.

apparently the ICM (along with cracked coil)was the problem. back up and runnin.

Originally Posted by FordMan77

Good to hear! At least it wasn't too expensive of a fix.

beings how im not good with all of the electrical testing crap, i got a boneyard ICM to see. actually picked up 2 of em since they were $10/each.
ill be getting a new one soon,though

definately. one thing ive read rather common here: if its an electrical part stick with OEM.

i had to run about 100 miles yesterday. after that im thinkin the signs of the coil pack were showing before. id have an occasional stutter/ surge/die( but start right back up) when in traffic and i let off the gas. not one time yesterday.

update and question:
cars been running great. did a collant flush today. i got some water on the coils and ICM. took her for a short drive after coolant flush. running great- then just died.
got her home, put the spare boneyard ICM on, fired right up and running great again.
did i short out the ICM by getting water on it?

forgot to ask:
on the ICM, are either ac delco or delphi the best choices for replacements?

Originally Posted by FordMan77

I guess that's possible but they should be able to withstand some moisture w/o dying, see what environment they live in. The ICM should have a rubber seal around all the pins that when the wiring harness is installed it seals them up and one under each coil pack. Maybe check those and see if any are missing.

And I'd go with AC Delco's better one if there is more than 1 option.

i was thinking it should withstand some moisture,too. coulda been it was just a boneyard icm with who knows how many miles on it and it was its time.
ordered up an ac delco one and keep ths other one as just in case. i hope like hell it dont happen again