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Has a really hard time starting when engine is hot

S

spenc938

New member
Yesterday I ran into a gas station to buy some food and when I came out the car wouldn't start. I called a family member to arrange a ride, but then about ten minutes after I first tried I decided to try and start it again. It took it a few seconds to start, and it struggle for a few seconds after that, but then it was running great. I started it a few other times that day, and it fired up fine each time.

Then today after pumping gas it did the same thing. I tried starting it a few times and again it would turn over but couldn't quite fire up. I waited a while, primed the fuel pump a few times and then once again it struggled and then started up.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? The car has a 194,000 miles and has ran great since I bought it. It's only happened twice during a period of starting it maybe 10 times, and both times it happened it had only been off for a few minutes. Usually when the engine is hot, I can turn the key and immediately let go and it will start up just fine. But now all of a sudden it doesn't start when it's hot.
 


Does it turn over, but not catch? If so, I'd look at spark or fuel. Possibly your fuel pressure regulator, or something on the spark side like ICM or CPS.
 
Yes.

And sorry, but I haven't been working on my own car for that long, so I need to know what an ICM is, what a CPS is, and how to check an ICM, CPS, and fuel regulator.
 
Fuel pressure regulator, now that I think of it, you probably already checked. Just a fuel pressure test and if it holds.

ICM = ignition control module. The part that sits under the coils and controls spark. If it's hot (being electronics) it could be failing. To test it you could pull a plug and wire, ground the plug's threads to metal, and see if it sparks when you crank (of course, when it is giving you issues). Hold the wire by the plug boot, and don't touch any of the metal. :)

CPS = crank position sensor. Can flake out when pretty hot. Similar testing to the ICM. Just see if you have spark.
 
Ok, thanks for the fast help as usual Sabre. I'll find someone to help me and I'll let you know what it does.

BTW... Just to be sure when you say "ground the plug's threads to metal" I'm assuming that you mean to just touch it somewhere. It's pretty straightforward, but I want to be sure. And any suggestions as to where I ground it?
 


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