When you say cranks erratically do you mean it doesnt sound smooth?If there is weak compression in any cylinders it will effect the starting.Starting warm could be many things. The "check engine light" is the PCM telling you there is a problem. Scan the vehicle and the trouble code will most likely give you a good direction to go in as far as the over all problem

Answered by 2CarPros Jack (expert)
12,033 answers provided

I haven't checked compression hot or cold as so far I hadn't neede the test but that is a good tip and as far as the cranking, it is engaged ie turns the flywheel without slipping out. you get the ra ra ra hard pause, r-r-r-r faster cranking then back to normal but just won't start untill it cools down. Yea I don't have that older computer checker so will have to take it in. also losing some coolant somewhere but the oil doesn't show any water there.

Response from kjman
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