89 sidekick starting problem

[Granpa49]

This problem is intermittent but frequent. Most of the time it starts fine and runs strong. But occasionally you can crank it, drive it somewhere and shut it off and then it won't crank. The motor spins but will not hit. 30 minutes later you crank it and it runs strong for 3 seconds, then stops cold. You can crank it several times and it will do the same every time. The next morning it will crank like nothing was ever wrong. Any suggestions?

[Granpa49]

It is not the starter. The motor never fails to turn over, just sometimes won't crank. The problem as I described at first is intermittent. It always cranks cold but sometimes, not always, doesn't want to crank and run when hot.

[barnbiketom]

I think he is confused in his description of 'cranking"
He seems to indicate it TURNS OVER but won't RUN.. at least that is what I think he is eluding to..
he is saying CRANK but relly means RUN???

As a line tech in a GM /ford/subaru store, I had a LOT of trouble with custoomer's language hahaha.
maybe his fuel pump is ready to take a crap here??? i m sure he will chime in and let you know if I'm reading this in..

[barnbiketom]

Thanks for that link.. that scotty kilmer is nuts.. i love im!!!!

[fixkick]

"The motor spins but will not hit." engine spins but does not run and sustain running, my answer.

off my engine fails page, no start page, under hot soak no start you see this. this covers all that.

http://www.fixkick.com/nostart-flow/nost..._only.html


the ECU does all it can (lots) to keep the engine running, it works overtime to do that. unlike any carb on earth can.
so if it dont start , the problem is catastophic.


when it fails be sure the CEL lamp glows keyon ,
it must. or it will not start. or may just flood.

[fixkick]

intermittent are hard, and no fun to find.
i hope my page helps you isolate the fail path..
compression
spark
or fueling.