Hard starting

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 JEEP LIBERTY
  • 11,700 MILES
Battery is relatively new - at best 2 years old. Having trouble starting about once a week it takes about 10 attempts to start the darn thing. Then it is fine for about a week. Alternator or starter? How do you tell? Besides bringing it in which is obvious.
Thursday, January 17th, 2013 AT 10:33 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If its cranking and will not start-10 attempts I suggest you have the fuel pressure checked out

Also refer to these walk thru links:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-engine-will-not-crank-over

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Thursday, January 17th, 2013 AT 10:40 PM
Tiny
ITSMEBABY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 JEEP LIBERTY
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
Hi there,
Been having some trouble starting my car. It will take about 2 tries before my engine will start.

When I turn the key (usually the first/second time), all the normal dash lights, A/C, radio, etc. Will come on, but the engine either doesn't start or it will do a "weak" start and die out. (Note that the yellow OBD light will be on when the car doesn't start, and when it DOES start, the OBD light is OFF.)

I'd like to proactively get this fixed (don't want to be out somewhere with my baby and have my car completely die).

Do you know what the problem might be?
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like a classic dirty throttle actuator which can cause hard stating but to be sure here is a guide you can walk through to confirm the issue I have also included how you service the throttle actuator.

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

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OIDAVEY
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Thank you for this post I had this problem and serviced the actuator like the guide said runs great! I love this site.
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JORDANMARIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 JEEP LIBERTY
I own a 2002 Jeep Liberty w/ 119,000.

Within the last 2 weeks, I have had problems starting the engine when its cold. The car will struggle to start, but once it does turn over, it can NOT idle on it's own. However, if I keep my foot on the gas pedal for several minutes while it warms up, it will then idle on its own (just under 1 rpm)

I had a complete diagnostic test done and nothing showed up. Starter, alternator, fuel pump were all looked at, and checked out okay. Fuel injectors were "gunked" up and cleaned. Yet, the problem remains.

This ONLY occurs when the engine is cold or has been sitting for 12+ hours. Please help! :)
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Assuming it has been tuned up using OEM parts, Hhas the throttle bore been decoked. Cleaning the bore out will sometimes help poor idle quality. Might even be a slow or out of range Idler Air Controil Valve, that is working but not correctly
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
D. MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
But I've had similar issues in the past like that. Nearly always it has been an emission control issue, such as an O2 sensor.
Possibly another sensor is failing that is also temperature related so the air/gas mixture isn't correct. Try checking the rheastats.
I had one such problem with a rheastat where the sensor was bad which will cause the computerized transmission to start shifting erratically. It was pretty scary downshifting a gear at 60 MPH. :(
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Out of range coolant sensor can do the same as well
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOTHERBALL9247
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 JEEP LIBERTY
Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Jeep Liberty

I started having trouble starting my jeep over the last month, but only when it was cold. In the begining. Last week I went to start my car after work and it was dead I jumped it, no problem drove home and left again. I shut my car off, and could not restart it, I had it jumped with no results, and it had to be towed. I got a new battery and its been running fine, until today It wouldnt start or take a jump. I have no clue whats going on, has this happened to anyone else?
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi, yes lot, s of people have had this prob. You need to go and get your alternator starter and batt tested. Most parts stores will do this for free. Good luck please vote billymac
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)

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