Its quite simple, my 96 Elantra starts up perfectly every time in the winter, yet in the summer my car starts fine in the morning but randomly does not start after the initial start. After it does this I ether keep trying to start it until I get lucky and it all the sudden fires up or I crank it until the battery runs out on me were I then break down crying, cursing and shouting at God and his son. When getting around to dealing with the battery a few hours later WAMMO!! it will start right up and I then drive off in euphoric glee, praising God and his son.

I've seen many people with this same problem but nobody ever comes up with a definitive answer.
Like to hear from people who have had and remedied this problem.

This post has been edited by formica45: Apr 2 2008, 09:37 PM

Incident log #1

Had a hard time starting the car today. Kept turning it over and over wouldn't start. Even tried to turn my key from the off position to on multiple times to get fuel presser, in hopes that maybe I had a bad fuel pump. No luck on that conjecture.
Opened up my hood and looked at my engine but i dint touch anything I just looked at it. Went back in the car and gave it one last try...and it started.

Come to think of it, my car always seems to start after I open my hood...why would that be...um...

Incident log entry #2

No go again, raised hood and it started.

How weird. I don't see how opening the hood would make any difference. I'd try checking all the fuses to make sure they're all good, as well as the connections to the battery. If it's turning over though, it doesn't sound like a battery problem.

Incident log #3

Ok, had 3 more incidents with the car's not starting being resolved by opening the hood. So I think my problem has something to do with air temperature.

Perhaps because warmer air is less dense, my car is not getting the right amount of air when the hood is closed on a warm day when starting.

What do you all think?

This post has been edited by formica45: Apr 16 2008, 11:14 AM

The only thing i know of that senses temperature of the air is the Intake Air Temperature sensor (IAT) located on the air filter housing.

"The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor

Purpose:
The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor element extends into the incoming air stream to measure the temperature of the air passing through the intake manifold.

Operation:
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) sends out a reference voltage of approximately five (5) volts to the IAT sensor. As air temperature changes, the internal resistance of the sensor will change, causing a varying voltage drop across the sensor. The PCM reads the voltage drop across the sensor as charge air temperature.

The PCM uses this information to calculate the proper injector pulse width and spark advance."

I going to fiddle around with this thing, perhaps put something cold on it next time i have trouble and see what happens.

Apparently, tweaking your IAT can give you better gas mileage to.

Hello there!

I also had a starting problem but it was not such an extreme case like yours. My Lantra randomly (cold or warm engine) just couldn't start on first time (starter motor running for 5 sec). On second attempt she started immediately!

You problem might be the FUEL PUMP.

Although there is a way to check how much fuel pressure with gauges and everything, I was sure when I compared the buzz sound of pump on another lantra same model. Mine had a much more quieter buzz! So I was sure to replace it, and it worked. BTW my lantra at that time had around 200k so this was no surprise for me-pump war worn out. But I must admit that the acceleration was normal, no stumbling while driving.

Maybe it is the IAT, but please try this simple test if u have the chance (u should turn off the fan and radio while testing). MAS sensor (which you and I don't have) is the cause of annoying weird starts and also poor acceleration. So I think u should try with fuel delivery system.

And please don't tweak IAT - it's there for a reason :)

Hope this helps

cheers

Yes, you might be right, it may be my fuel pump. I didn't do anything with my IAT, because I started to suspect that the amount of times I turned my key had to do with it starting all the sudden. It seems now all I have to do is turn the key to the on position 3 or 4 times and then it will start.

Where exactly is the fuel pump anyway?

It's under the back seat. When u remove this u must disconnect negative pole from battery before removing connectors from pump. I've added some pics that might help.

BTW, pump cost me around 75 € in parts shop, otherwise original would be around 120 €.

Remember, no sparks near opened fuel tank! Careful!!

Attached thumbnail(s)

Thanks for the help.

For what it's worth I have this problem with my Lantra. The engine very nearly starts, but immediately cuts out, and then turns over without firing - like it's flooded.

If I leave it for 20 minutes I might get lucky and it'll start, or it'll cut out again and I'm back to square one. Whenever it starts there's a big smell of petrol!

However, one day at work this happened twice, and for the third attempt I raised the bonnet and waited for 15 minutes - hey presto the **** thing started! Interesting about th air temp sensor - it sounds like this could be a factor, as I've been told my fuel pump is fine.

Still, the least of my worries at the moment - te engine computer is faulty, it's burnt out an engine coil and waiting for it all to be repaired!!!

I had a starting problem with my 97 Elantra as well.
It turned out to be the crank sensor was blown and bubbled up so it would start and then no start for a few try. My problem sounds similiar to your opening the hood scenarios.

The engine would crank and crank but not start. Or it would just be dead.
The part was inexpensive. I had a mechanic put it in and it took about 30 minutes.

Well i still have not narrowed this problem down. Just been leaving my car on while going into the store and what not. The crank sensor thing i have seen alot regarding this issue. Just been leaving things up to chance you know - just tired of screwing with cars.