85944na

My car has had a strange starting issue for a while. It is totally normal most of the time, but once in a while I get in and try to start it and it just cranks, no sign of starting. If i try a few more times it generally starts, but it never starts if I keep cranking it, have to turn it off and on again, and on the try it does start it starts right away, does not crank long. I have tried different DME relays, including a brand new one but the result is still there. I can go weeks w/o this happening but then it will show itself again. Any input? I am thinking perhaps the DME.
Thanks!

quinnfiske

Try wiggling the crank sensor connectors at the rear of the cylinder head. If that makes it start, unplug them and clean them with a contact cleaner from Radio Shack. I always start with free or cheap fixes before moving on.

85944na

hmm, good idea will they be obvious or are they hard to locate?

quinnfiske

Take a look at thread "No start, no sell". There are pictures on that post. The sensors are located in the bell housing and aim at the flywheel. They connect into the DME harness at the back of the cylinder head just in front of the firewall. They are mounted in an L shaped bracket. Leave the bracket in place or you will have to re-adjust it. The connectors snap together and can be helped apart with the aid of a tiny screw driver. Be gentle as they can break. Just pry enough to get the little tabs to clear.