Delay when starting car after repair

Tiny
COLLEEN H
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 FORD FIESTA
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I just had by dual clutch replaced and the car changes gears beautifully. However, once the mechanic put everything back together, the car wouldn’t start at all. When he turned the key the lights came on but the engine didn’t even try to turn over. He checked all the connections and everything he had worked on but didn’t find any issues. He said that this car was known for grounding issues so he decided to replace all the wires to the battery and the transmission and possibly something else at no cost to me. This fixed the issue and the car started right up! But, once I got the car home I found that now it wouldn’t start with the first turn of the key, you have to turn it again. Once it starts you can turn it off and restart with no problem. I brought it back to the shop and he said he thought that the TCM and PCM were not communicating properly and there was an adjustment which he made using a diagnostic tool. He said that the car has to be in park to start and it wasn’t getting that message. He thought that fixed the issue. I get the car back home and it still takes two turns of the key to start, and now it seems to be a weaker start when it turns over. Any idea what could be wrong?
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 AT 8:19 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,244 POSTS
Hi,

When you say you have to turn the key twice for it to start, does the starter engage the first time or does nothing happen?

Also, when you turn the key on, does the gear shift indicator indicate it is in park?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
COLLEEN H
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the response Joe. So, when I turn the key the first time the lights come on but nothing at all. It doesn’t engage and even try to start... No sound. After your response, the repair shop called, and I brought the car back in as he was going to adjust it again. Now I have the car back and I thought it was fixed but it still does it more than half the time. Ever since you asked about if it showed it was in park, I turn the key and the lights come on and before turning it all the way I have checked and see a P on the dashboard showing it’s in park and that’s every time. Then I turn the key but there’s a pause before it turns over. I don’t want to get stuck somewhere if one time it won’t start. :(
What do you think is going on?
I really appreciate your help!
Colleen
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Monday, October 2nd, 2023 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,244 POSTS
Hi,

I completely understand your concerns. Since the adjustment, is it working differently? Also, try something for me. Rather than starting it in park, place it in neutral and see if that makes a difference.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, October 2nd, 2023 AT 8:12 PM

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