Car felt like it was trembling when idle a few times but now it didn't start.

Tiny
OUIOUI
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 ACURA TL
  • 240,000 MILES
Car has sometimes felt shaky when starting it. Sometimes when I'm driving the car and the car is idle (like at a light or in park) car will feel like it wants to turn off but never did. Finally I went to drive the car and start it but it would not keep a "start". It took a few times before it would let me. What is this problem? Is it expensive?
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 AT 3:48 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
There are few possibilities and you need to verify what is causing the problem.

The idling speed seems to be too low resulting in the engine wanting to stall.

The non starting could be due to the low idling speed as well. Try pressing the accelerator slightly to see if you can keep the engine running.

If you are not able to start, it could be fuel or ignition sparks that is missing. A faulty ignition coil or ignition switch can cause a no spark condition. A faulty PGM-FI main relay can result in the fuel pump not working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
https://www.2carpros.com/section/troubleshooting-problems

The above 2 links should be helpful to you.

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Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
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Thank you KHLow2008 for you answering my question, this is ouioui but I had to create a new account because I forgot the other info for that one.

The car has been driving but it is not reliable. Last week, I did some errands and it drove fine until my last stop. Attempted again to start car. Wouldn't start. Called my road side assistance. When they came about 30minutes later, it started right up.

Haven't drove it all week until today, had a funeral so I took a chance. It started, drove for about 25 minutes until I arrived at destination. Went to leave the funeral about 2 1/2 hrs later and it started. When I arrived at the cemetery, my car started to overheat while my car was in idle due to waiting to park at cemetery. When I got back in car about 15 minutes later, it would not start. Someone there checked my antifreeze and it was fine. No leaks. I was afraid it was the head gasket, he said it was either the fuel pump or maybe fuel filter or something.

He attempted to start it, it wouldn't start until he kept pumping the gas all the way down and it stayed on.

I then drove car straight home about 5 min away and now it's parked again.

By the way, someone said they saw a lot of white smoke come out of my exhaust/muffler too. I never saw it though.
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Saturday, March 24th, 2012 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
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KHLow2008. Do you think its the fuel pump or something like that? I hope its not the head gasket. Out of work and still looking for job. Need my car.
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Saturday, March 24th, 2012 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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  • 41,815 POSTS
I would suspect the PGM-FI maine relay as the likely cause. It controls the fuel pump and you can remove it to check for cracks on the solders.

You can just try resoldering the circut board and retest. It won't cost you much and can be easily don.
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Sunday, March 25th, 2012 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
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Hello, KHLow2008. I am going to try that. Ive looked up the part. It looks like run around $80 or so. Whats the most that someone should charge? I even googled to see how you do it but Im afraid to not do it right even though it says its pretty easy and only takes about 10 minutes or so. Thank you for responding too! I appreciate it:)
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 1:16 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You need not replace the part. Resoldering the circuit board should solve the problem if it is the cause.

I am not sure of the cost and you can get one from the junk yard for a fraction of the listed cost. It isinterchangeable with almost all Acura or Honda of pre 2000 year model.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 4:18 PM

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