Extended crank, hard start

Tiny
49ERFAITHFUL1
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
My vehicle has been having intermittent starting problems. The engine will crank, but will not start. So far I have replaced the fuel pump, the throttle sensor and the crankshaft sensor. After replacing the fuel pump, it seemed to be better for a short while, but started having the same problem. It sounds strange, but the problem seems to happen most often when it is hot outside, no so much after being warm from being driven, but after sitting in the heat. So far, I have been able to get it to start after a few attempts, but it seems to be getting worse and happens more often. Once it has started, the car runs perfectly fine, no stalling, hesitating or loss of power. During all this, the check engine light has never come on.

This is probably not related, but I also had both my low beams go out at the same time on headlights that were only about a year old. Every other light and blinker worked fine, the low beams just quit. Changed the bulbs a couple weeks ago and have been okay.

At my wits end. I love this car and have not had any problems since I bought it new until now. Help!
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 AT 4:14 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,924 POSTS
Hello,

I have seen the engine coolant temperature sensor cause this problem on these cars. When this sensor starts to go out it will not trigger a check engine light. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job with the diagrams of the location for your car (below):

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, May 24th, 2018 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
49ERFAITHFUL1
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I took your advice and had ECT sensor replaced when I took car in yesterday to flush cooling system. We have had cooler weather this week, so I am waiting for it to warm up again to see how this worked. I will let you know if this took care of problem when we start getting hot weather again.
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,924 POSTS
Sounds good please let us know. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
49ERFAITHFUL1
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
It seems to have worked! Car's been starting without problems except for a couple of times when the weather was hot and the A/C was on when I tried starting. Then it would start and just turn off. I have been making sure the A/C is off before I start the car, but I do not remember ever having this problem. Is it bad to start car with A/C on, or do I have another problem?
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Friday, June 29th, 2018 AT 3:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,924 POSTS
No, you should be able to start the car with the AC on it does not matter. It sounds like you need to service the throttle bore which will cause this issue. Here are two guides that can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken

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Friday, June 29th, 2018 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
49ERFAITHFUL1
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
You are amazing! I was planning on taking the car in to service the throttle bore and idle air control when my check engine light came on. Had that checked and was told there was a problem with the idle air control! Getting it fixed tomorrow. I sure am glad I found you. It is nice having someone to diagnose the problem before I take it in. Thank you!
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2018 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,924 POSTS
No problem. :)
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 12:29 PM

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