car not starting sometimes

[60408CC]

need some help on this one guys

my 87 lxi is acting up
it doesnt want to start sometimes after it has been turned off for a while but at other times it starts up just fine.

its like it has a dead battery but its got a new one as of the summer and a new alternator as well so i dont know what else to check.

has this happened to any one else?

[sky]

Same thing has been happening with my 87. Turns out the previous owner put some junk injecters in her and its flooding when I try to restart it. I would say check your injectors , I just put a kill switch on the fuel pump so to start its prime the pump kick her over wait for the rpms to drop and turn the pump back on, works for now till I get some money up for new injectors. Sorry for the long post.

[Bluntman]

Same thing has been happening with my 87. Turns out the previous owner put some junk injecters in her and its flooding when I try to restart it. I would say check your injectors , I just put a kill switch on the fuel pump so to start its prime the pump kick her over wait for the rpms to drop and turn the pump back on, works for now till I get some money up for new injectors. Sorry for the long post.

In your case it sounds like the ECT sensor. If the engine coolant temperature sensor is sending an incorrect reading to the ECU it does not know what fuel ratio to send, thus flooding and smelling gas. The ECT sensor does not always send a code on these. Did a few cars with this problem. Easy fix.

[Bluntman]

need some help on this one guys

my 87 lxi is acting up
it doesnt want to start sometimes after it has been turned off for a while but at other times it starts up just fine.

its like it has a dead battery but its got a new one as of the summer and a new alternator as well so i dont know what else to check.

has this happened to any one else?

If you mean the engine still turns over but does not start, it sounds like it could be the infamous main relay problem. I am not sure if you mean it turns over, or is just dead.

[sky]

In your case it sounds like the ECT sensor. If the engine coolant temperature sensor is sending an incorrect reading to the ECU it does not know what fuel ratio to send, thus flooding and smelling gas. The ECT sensor does not always send a code on these. Did a few cars with this problem. Easy fix.

Thanks a lot ill check that out this weekend cause I know the ecu isn't showing any codes, I'm new to fuel injected cars and hondas but I have been reading everything on this site and I have to say I just bought the car as a beater till I could find another rx7 but its growing on me a lot so I'm just gonna play with my accord for now.

[Bluntman]

Thanks a lot ill check that out this weekend cause I know the ecu isn't showing any codes, I'm new to fuel injected cars and hondas but I have been reading everything on this site and I have to say I just bought the car as a beater till I could find another rx7 but its growing on me a lot so I'm just gonna play with my accord for now.

Also make sure the sensor plugs are not crossed ( I have seen this also, they accept the same plug ). The green plug is outer, to the radiator fan switch, the white plug is inner, to the ECT sensor ( closest plug to the head ). If they got switched backwards that will do it because they are calibrated for different temperature readings.

[sky]

Also make sure the sensor plugs are not crossed ( I have seen this also, they accept the same plug ). The green plug is outer, to the radiator fan switch, the white plug is inner, to the ECT sensor ( closest plug to the head ). If they got switched backwards that will do it because they are calibrated for different temperature readings.

I might have to check that cause I replaced the head gasket when I first got the car and I'm sure I removed those plugs when I took the head off so ill check that too. Thanks a lot this is by far the most helpful fourm I've been on.

[sky]

Also make sure the sensor plugs are not crossed ( I have seen this also, they accept the same plug ). The green plug is outer, to the radiator fan switch, the white plug is inner, to the ECT sensor ( closest plug to the head ). If they got switched backwards that will do it because they are calibrated for different temperature readings.

So I checked the plugs this morning and they are how they should be white inner and green outter so ill check the sensor tomorrow since my woman took the car for the day. Anyway thanks and sorry to OP for kinda jacking the thread alittle bit there.

[Bluntman]

So I checked the plugs this morning and they are how they should be white inner and green outter so ill check the sensor tomorrow since my woman took the car for the day. Anyway thanks and sorry to OP for kinda jacking the thread alittle bit there.

Just get a new Engine Coolant Temperature sensor, and see what happens. They are not expensive. And check your coolant level. If coolant is not up high enough in the t- stat housing the sensor tip will get thrown off because coolant is not touching it. Cap off, heater control open all the way ( so heater core is getting filled also ), start engine with cap off while cold, let warm up til thermostat opens ( Coolant will start to move in radiator ), add coolant as necessary and add coolant to coolant reservoir tank to upper level also. Then shut down with cap still off, let engine cool down a bit, check level and add coolant if necessary. Then put cap on.

[sky]

Just get a new Engine Coolant Temperature sensor, and see what happens. They are not expensive. And check your coolant level. If coolant is not up high enough in the t- stat housing the sensor tip will get thrown off because coolant is not touching it. Cap off, heater control open all the way ( so heater core is getting filled also ), start engine with cap off while cold, let warm up til thermostat opens ( Coolant will start to move in radiator ), add coolant as necessary and add coolant to coolant reservoir tank to upper level also. Then shut down with cap still off, let engine cool down a bit, check level and add coolant if necessary. Then put cap on.

I just flushed everything after I did the head just to make sure it was all good, so ill check the ECT sensor and see where that leaves me at but for now the kill switch works just to get me back and forth from work

[60408CC]

well it doesnt trun over it just clickes like it has a dead battery ..

ill try to turn the key a few times in a row and then it will start ..

any idea why that would be...

[kentwat]

My 86 did this for a while and then gave up. I had to get a new ignition switch. Actually not new I found one at pullapart.

[AZmike]

First check if your starter is getting +12 V to the solenoid. If it's not then try this.

My 86 did this for a while and then gave up. I had to get a new ignition switch. Actually not new I found one at pullapart.

[9shorty20]

well it doesnt trun over it just clickes like it has a dead battery ..

ill try to turn the key a few times in a row and then it will start ..

any idea why that would be...

mine is doing the same thing..i think it might be the ignition switch cuz i wiggle it and it starts up or i just let the car sit for about ten minutes and it starts