7 Causes and Fixes for When a Car Hesitates to Start

Cause and fixes of long start times for car hesitant to start. Written Guide: www.backyardme...

[@quacktuber1051]

Fixed my 15 year old Corolla rough idle and stall by cleaning MAF Sensor. Cheap and awesome fix - thanks so much!

[@HookedOnSonics518]

I recently sprayed down and scrubbed the inside of my throttle body and it drastically improved my idling.

[@THOF4YOUTUBE]

Damn dude I gotta 2017 charger an it’s been hesitating on starting first thing in the morning. I did that turn on the car but don’t start Hack you showed in the beginning and THAT SHYT WORKED I now know what I need fixed thank you my good sir you are helping lots of people!!

[@adanquinones3144]

Thank you so much, that was my problem, my Volkswagen was taking 5 cranks to start, turning it off and on lowered it to only 2

[@eddym5532]

Excellent explanation, nowdays we drive not a machine, we drive a computer with a bunch of sensors and plastic.

[@TrammellACT]

No me big boy. I've got a beautiful cherry red 1985 dodge w150 power ram. She's a monster but is currently having difficulties. Not everyone drives a computer;).

[@sandraadams5746]

@@TrammellACT That's when they actually made cars. Not everything was connected to a computer. Ijs....

[@jacobfarkas3916]

Thank you for also explaining why. That is how I've adapted to learning. I'd you have bad memory and learn why things work, you don't have to remember a bunch. You can just work it out. Nice video.

[@danieltenorio3559]

I have replaced my fuel pump (in the Honda civic 2012 the filter is built in) bec of long crank to start, but sometimes I still get a long crank ? Is there any help?

[@TruthLogic1527]

So my car had been parked for a few days and now it doesn’t start

[@TruthLogic1527]

Tho it’s making a kicking sound

[@johnmay371]

Thank you for all this information !

[@BigBubbaAmerican]

I appreciate you and this channel just fixed my mom's cavalier 🙂

[@SpaceMissile]

haha that's a great feeling. nice work

[@really_miscellanous]

What was the issues? I have the same car and it kinda has these issues

[@mckoylach1622]

A great step by step explanations of causes,thanks

[@MarzNet256]

Awesome. You can also get a bad evap purge valve that is stuck open and can fill intake with fumes, causing a rich condition and long crank.

[@Bernhard_Schmidt]

Thank you for explaining this

[@superfly19751]

Excellent list!

[@chrisryan8863]

Hello. I have an 07 Corolla and it has had a long crank for about two years now and not one mechanic can fix the root cause. I am also fairly handy and well educated on cars, and on this issue. All of the things you mentioned were early possible causes that were checked. The fuel pump was replaced assemboy(which holds the filter in it in my car and the regullator), the 02 sensors were replaced. plugs replaced, catalytic converter replaced, all sensors you mentioned here were either cleaned or replaced. The vacuum system and was checked a couple of times with a smoke test done. The only engine code we ever got was lean condition and at one point the catalytic converter. No codes have shown for 2 years now but there is a long crank every morning and between extended starts. If I start it immediately after it did start then there is no delay, and if I start right after filling the gas tank while at the pump there is also no delay. Other than the long crank problem the car overall rides well. If you may have any idea or have seen this please let me know. I have taken to several mechanics, including a shop that specializes in electrical work and they spent many hours with it. They also did compression testing which was normal. Thank you so much for considering this!!

[@DareOkuns-no7rm]

My wife uses the same Corolla 2007 s as yours and we are experiencing the same problem and i am looking for a solution to this cranking twice issue

[@DareOkuns-no7rm]

As the fuel injector been replaced?

[@chrisryan8863]

@@DareOkuns-no7rm Hi there. You are the first I have heard has also had the problem. Yes, I did replace the injectors and it did not solve the issue. The car seems to drive okay once it starts so I am at the point of not attending to anymore but it is very annoying. We replaced so many things that could be the culprit and ran many tests and nothing corrected the problem.

[@DareOkuns-no7rm]

@@chrisryan8863 I was about throwing money on parts as well when I came across your comment. No error code to track the fault. It is tiring and frustrating

[@DareOkuns-no7rm]

I detected where the fault was

[@donnalee1720]

It worked. It's my regulator! Ty for an easy fix

[@markek8022]

My issue would be that it doesn't struggle to start on the first try. It would struggle after maybe the 4th or 5th time I go to start my car. I'm trying to not go to the mechanic to save me some money but idk where to start.

[@Honeyddripdiddler]

Hey there. So I have a 2018 subaru crosstrek. Owned since new. In May the battery started going. I went to Costco and grabbed one off the shelf. Clearly too small for the battery bay.. but fired up like magic the car ran great.. but since it's the wrong size after 5 months I finally got around to swapping it for a new battery. The correct size for mt car and immediately the car started hard.. it's been two weeks.. it seems to struggle with every turn . But the smaller battery didn't. So all the connections are good. I found your video and tried rhe first tip of turning it on and off a few times and it wouldn't start at all... all the instruments and lights worked fine. So I tried the second tip .. I cleaned rhe very very very dirty filter and blew on the sensor.. it fired up... but still the hard start.. thank God tho cuz it's -10 degrees Celsius abd windy. Anyway... should I swap the battery out... or clean that censor?

[@africanlion8585]

Well said and explained. Thank you men.

[@antoniop5889]

If it don’t start on the first time but does on the second. Most of the time it’s the fuel pump you forgot to mention that.

[@abdalbarialmagouri7809]

he said the fuel filter tho

[@KayXoXo4]

Mine will start right up sometimes and sometimes it takes forever we just change the fuel pump last night and it started right up and then the second time we started it it took forever

[@KRnDrew-1]

@@KayXoXo4so it probably wasn’t your fuel pump?

[@KayXoXo4]

@kingronevegas lol wasn't my fuel pump. We also changed coil packs, plugs and all fuel injectors. It's still takes forever to start.

[@themarcvelazquez]

@@KayXoXo4anything yet?

[@isoundss7140]

I have a long crank problem on my 2010 mazda3. It's a push button start. I have to push it 3 times to get it going in the mornings. Thing is, it started doing it out of nowhere. It was absolutely perfect and then one morning it just kept cranking. Shouldn't it usually gradually progress? Anyway, I took it to an auto parts store and even though I did not have a check engine light, they still ran a scan which showed. Code for MAP sensor. I got one from them and replaced it, but the problem did not go away. MAF sensor and the fuel filter are next on my list, but just the fact that the problem didn't start small and progressed, instead was huge from day one makes me think it is not any of those things. Something just broke. Maybe I'm wrong. I called a local shop they charge by the hour ($100 per hour) to diagnose and I would hate for them to spend 4-5 hours diagnosing a problem that may in the end cost very little to fix. I can do most replacements myself given enough time, but trying to diagnose is not so easy.

[@brianchasecook20]

Thank you so much!!

[@donnalee1720]

Omg... I'll try them one at a time. Ty🙏

[@MUHAMMADKHAN-pe7ez]

you demonstrated a simple way of checking ''fuel-pressure-regulator''. after the turns were of fuel-filter and fuel-pump. how to test them whether they are culprit or not before proceeding to other engine-relatives

[@SSLDHL]

Thanks a lot 😊❤

[@we-will-meet-infront-of-GOD.]

Gosh ,thank you so much ❤😊

[@JorgeTamezPhoto]

So if it only happens on cold start I guess it’s more likely to be a fuel pressure issue? Either the regulator or the pump?

[@tenirahoward2241]

Thank you so much. I couldn't get my vehicle to start but now I'm driving! Lol

[@DonDaDaBoi]

What was the problem with your car ? HELP PLS

[@harmoniousembodiment7203]

I just bought a used 2008 nissan xterra, 2 wheel drive. Ive only had it a week, and immediatelly it sometimes difficult starting it makes sounds trying to start but takes 5 - 10 seconds sometimes to finally fully turn on and engine run. But usually if its been running and only recentlly turned off , if i start it soon after it seems to usually start right up. I may be misremembering, but it seems to have more difficulty starting fully if its been turned off for a few hours or overnight. Guy who sold it to me said nothing about it, but i dont trust him at this point, as no way it literally just started happening the day i bought it from him. I had battery tested and its good, only a year and a half old. And i noticed a slight fuel smell today inside the xterra while driving it. Unfortunately i was told by oreillys auto parts when i asked about getting a new fuel filter that this model xterra doesnt have just a simple fuel filter that is easy to access and remove and replace alone, as its instead supposely inside the friggin fuel tank and has to remove the friggin fuel tank and replace whole fuel assembly and buy and whole new fuel assembly to replace fuel filter. Which is nearly $400 for just the part! What batshoot craxy dumb design instead of jjust having fuel filter outside fuel tank easy to access and replace like some vehicles.. And this xterra has a built in alarm system connected to a chip in the key, apparently. When locking and leaving vehicle apparently after getting a certain distance from vehicle thealarm automatically arms. Suddenly today when i drove to auto store and turned engine off and removed key, immediatley as i opened door to exit the vehicle the alarm suddenly went on making alarm noises for a minute. Had no idea how to turn it off or why it suddenly started alarming as i was still in vehicle with the key in my hand. It at least stopped alarming sound after a minute. Just concerned as it shouldnt do that and have no idea why it did or if its going to again and how to stop it.

[@CARLOSBRITO-zo1wi]

You are great! Thank you

[@brotherkossi]

Awesome video. Thanks.

[@donnacrain7676]

Wow! U r the best

[@kylerich3771]

Gr8 video < Thankyou >

[@PixieDusted72]

Thank you!! It was my air flow.

[@fromditchestodollars6936]

What were your symptoms? Like mine? Just appreciate any answers or help. Thanks 😊

[@reekwaveytv8256]

Nice vid bro

[@analytorres8302]

Thank you

[@kento_don1804]

Thank you very much

[@adamleung7632]

Awesome.... U saved my day🎉

[@nachocheez9690]

You're a hero

[@hectorlopez-si3hw]

dude you're the freakin man! love you dude

[@LG_CAT_SUS]

Great job!

[@wanderleisilva8918]

So, if I continue to do that 1st trick you taught us, would it break anything? Or is it okay for me to do that until I get the problem fixed? That trick actually works for me.

[@comegetyourjuice6370]

Fantastic video.

[@daynmarshall7262]

Thanks I liked and subscribed liked it alot

[@rover265]

What can cause start up hesitation, but NOT have long cranking? Mine cranks once or twice then hesitates to start. Then I have to try again. Sometimes it starts first time, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries.

[@frankoneyjr.4515]

Good video !

[@alwaysthirty]

You just saved me lol. Thank you!

[@marcleblanc3602]

Very good but still in the dark for hard start and huge indicated consumption, ma radio didnt turn on at start before, computer looks fine but may be gone mad?

[@DailyBitesofWisdom]

Thank you for this! I have a question, I will try to be as precise as I can. English is my second language. My car starts okay in the morning. I'll wait for the usual buzzing or humming sound from the fuel pump to stop before keying in to start the engine. No problem. Sometimes I get coffee from 7Eleven, which is just less than 5 minutes from our house, after that I'll proceed to the office. That's when I experience hard starting, usually two whole sets of very hard starting. The third try usually gets the engine to run. But sometimes, the third one will start and would die immediately. And when I try again, one click, the engine starts as if there is no problem at all. Also, I noticed I don't hear a priming sound from the fuel pump. No buzzing or humming sound that I usually hear before starting the engine. I don't experience power loss when driving. Fuel consumption is like a new car because I just recently replaced the fuel pump assembly(I think that's worth mentioning) and I have been experiencing this for a month now. What do you think is the problem? I hope you see this. Thanks!

[@664sdp]

2001 Dakota it has an excessive crank and it barely starts like a weak start .. don’t have a rough idle or codes

[@laualee1]

This is very thorough information. Thank you and I do have a question about the throttle. If I'm pushing the gas down and all the sudden it doesn't go while I'm in mid-driving situation and then it engages again could that be my throttle body needs cleaning? I forget what the first throttle part was called?

[@jlittlejohn85]

Did you figure this out? I have the same issue

[@laualee1]

You know, it didnt happen anymore. twice I believe and that was it. Not since then ! Could it be God answers prayer ? @@jlittlejohn85

[@keillysantaella12]

Where is the fuel pressure regulator? This is happening to me ? Same car same year .. I did your test and is the fuel pressure regulator

[@robert-asdf]

fuel pressure regulator is a cool experiment i want to try soon.

[@musicfashionstyle9269]

I already changed new air filter new spark plugs new alternator. fuel pump is used. But still crank too long before it start.

[@Ocxmusic]

Mine won’t start until the engine cools off again

[@foreverlivin3930]

I have extended crank on my 2008 Mercedes E350, Ive replaced fuel pump, fuel sending unit, spark plugs, MAF sensor, Camshaft sensor, Camshaft magnets, crank shaft sensor, and still no luck on solving the issue. Car runs great no check engine light, car does not stall. Or gives me issues once running. I’m thinking it’s a starter issue but not a 100% sure.

[@myballsitchsomethingfierce6319]

Did you fix it? I had a battery cable that was lose and it caused start problems

[@foreverlivin3930]

@@myballsitchsomethingfierce6319 I haven’t figured it out yet, my battery cables are fine, I did clean my throttle body, but after a while the issues comes back I’m thinking it’s a faulty throttle body.

[@automachinehead]

@@foreverlivin3930 check crank voltage on your battery

[@rawfoodphilosophy7061]

Same issue.......mine runs great but long crank. You've nailed all the major issues........but try......... throttle position sensor, engine coolant sensor, spark plug wires, multimeter for battery. try unpluging MAF and throttle sensor and if it starts better then one of those is the issue. Let me know other things you've tried or if its fixed. Another thing maybe carbon build up on valves? especially gdi fuel injected because fuel is not sprayed on the valves which cleans them constantly.......something like gdi

[@MyLifeThai371]

Did you plug in the code reader at Napa yet?

[@alexspicer6043]

I have a 2017 terrain and sometimes not always it sounds like it struggles to start. To me it sounded like a battery problem but mechanic checked alt , starter and battery is good. So they cleaned one terminal since there was visible corrosion and it started up fine then days later same struggle sound. Have no clue wth is going on

[@boopdeedoop98]

Could it be the battery? I left the light on in my car about two weeks ago and I had to get a jump. Ever since that day I’ve been having trouble and hesitation with start up

[@HVAC_Mechanic]

A battery wouldn't cause a hesitancy to start. Usually, a battery is either dead or charged, and turning the starter.

[@boopdeedoop98]

@@HVAC_Mechanic I replaced my battery and the problem is fixed

[@1todobless]

@@boopdeedoop98 But was it fixed indefinitely? Or did the issue return?

[@boopdeedoop98]

@@1todobless problem was fixed with no further issues

[@boopdeedoop98]

@Makki Sorry for the delayed response. I hope your issue was resolved by now. Was it the battery?

[@tylermccaslin]

What if it’s only on first start and also not consistently happening?

[@kingmanarrranger]

It may only need a tune up and possibly a fuel pressure regulator

[@syphonunfiltered]

Hi, it's been 7 months since you had this issue. Did you ever figure out what was causing it? Having the same issue myself.

[@antoniop5889]

Me too most of the time it’s the fuel pump when it don’t start on the first time. The guy did not mention that in the video.

[@jrodbtw6901]

@@antoniop5889 hey i changed the fuel pump on my 02 jeep and i still have the same problem lmk if u fixed ur car

[@KostasGeo-fv7oy]

​​@@jrodbtw6901same as you. Just changed the fuel pump, worked fine on the way home from mechanic. But 4 hours later didn't switch on first attempt after 20 cranking sounds. Second attempt switched on fine. Also in general it doesn't do this on every cold start .. maybe 20% of them. Did you figure out what it was??

[@mandehjetii3418]

Mass Airflow Sensor

[@MuhammadTayyab-iv4rd]

One of the best looking model in corolla ….

[@HiX88]

Very helpful 👌

[@treverdoyle4457]

So what I'd it only does it first thing in the morning but turns over fine for the rest of the day ? I got a 98 f150 that does this

[@micaelaromero1063]

My car starts fine sometimes and then others it will have a long crank time. What could that be? It's been doing it for 2 years but getting more frequent. Sometimes it makes a squalling sound too

[@manavplays212]

It was code P0328 - Knock Sensor was replaced or fixed.

[@kneebarx]

Cheap gas can clog your fuel pump too. i was putting cheap gas. they dont use fuel cleaner additives and then i went to a top tier gas station like BP or shell and it fired right up! I also added techron fuel injection cleaner and cleaned up my fuel pump!

[@daviddupree3947]

Nice!! Very nice 👍

[@Honeyddripdiddler]

I drive alot on gravel roads my engine bay is nasty... I sit cool to hose it down? Cheers

[@Yash-jo8hv]

I have a Lexus Sc400 and it it’s stated rough today

[@fromditchestodollars6936]

My 2008 chevy colbalt takes about 3 to 4 cranks to start then once started I can drive for however long. But once parked and I turn it off same problem when starting. Any ideas before I spend over a grand lol?

[@CanadiaNEnglish]

Have you figured it out?

[@alistuslarter6787]

Have you figured it out. I have the axact problem

[@steakershocks]

I have this occurring on my Toyota corolla right now where it takes two key turns to start the car. I took it to Toyota they weren't able to recreate the issue. So I paid them for nothing stupid af. The car drives great though but it takes two ignition key turns to start the car...

[@l.p.boudreaux1548]

is fuel pump a reason too?

[@GQman]

Where is fuel pressure regulator located on 2008 toyota camry 2.4l ? Please help

[@shaan808929166]

My toyota yaris 2009 model, is recently taking 10 to 15 mints to start, every time when i take it over night, like afte 5 or 6 hrs....!! What could be the possible reason?

[@narvvvy]

Would a corrosion inflicted battery terminal cause a long start?

[@tmaq9726]

More than likely, these have the fuel filter built in with the fuel pump. I have a pontiac vibe, which 95% a toyota and is the same as Corolla.

[@jaynava1312]

Does anyone know if it bad when a car is about to start but because I let of just as the car wants to turn on but it doesn't . Will it damage anything.. My house key hit the steering wheel cluster and I let of the car key so the car didn't fully turn on . It make the noise like the motor was about to but then died off. .I just want to know what I might be damage if this keeps on happening. It's about the 3 Rd time the key done it to me

[@nicmowery7799]

Very helpful!! Thank you!!

[@felicia961]

So my4 runner will start and when i turn off after awhile go to start it just spin like no crank. Fuel pump is new what could this be.

[@clarkkent8199]

So I left my key in the middle and wouldn’t start but I checked my battery and it’s fine can you tell me why it wouldn’t start?

[@tigersblood12212012]

I have a 2007 honda civic that is having intermittent starting problems. The starter cranks fine but it skips in between its cranks before the engine turns over. The other issue is the serpentine belt retards before advancing. Does anybody have any clues as to what the problem with my car could be?

[@drollnelson1378]

hi i have a 2012 elantra and my car sometimes hesitated to start up quickly i did change my intake i have a short ram intake. could it be the throttle body i’m not sure

[@Dierksman]

I have a 16 Sienna. It intermittently has hard to starts of the last 8-9 months. More recently I noticed that if I park on an incline that the van will crank over but takes longer to start. Could this be the fuel pressure regulator?

[@HVAC_Mechanic]

It does sound fuel related. The only way to know for sure is to do a fuel pressure test. Automotive stores rent out fuel pressure testers, but the Toyota makes the connection difficult, so be sure it has the connectors.

[@emq6892]

Thankyou 👌🏼

[@ShemaneLloyd]

Mi ave 2009 axio an it talk long fi start

[@abdulrahmangoni9137]

I need help please, my car always refuse to start the next morning unless i unplug the batteries, if i let the batteries connected it refuse to start and the battery becomes weak after just 3 key starts, once i remove the same battery and put on another car it the battery will start the other car. I even change a brain box

[@NowYanno]

Mass airflow airflow sensor

[@anthonybenny6694]

My1998 toyota corolla ae111check light is not come off ,and i'm getting a hard start

[@erwinsm10]

Verified , most Toyota does not prime fuel on key on or acc position . No fuel pump action only on start position on cranking .

[@tebohowalter9049]

Toyota avanza 1.5 it has a hard start but every morng it start nice but wen u driver n switch it off it start again with the hard start

[@watchmankingstone9602]

Probox, refuses to start in the morning, I come back to it after two three hours, just starts immediatery. What could be the problem.

[@strongperson697]

great great video

[@ShemaneLloyd]

1Nz engine 2009 axio

[@Elringmain]

Does it matter that my car is push to start? It’s having the same issues

[@santoshgajmer-kl1gm]

Hi I got 2005 Nissan Frontier pickup truck it hasited to start and I keep trying to start like couple time and it start but always comes Slip sign on word and runs couple miles and it just stop running again on the middle of the road . So what could be the problem on? Thanks

[@ravisimplay7706]

have you solved this problem?my car have same problem many time peoples give me hornon lights when i stopp. the engine turn off some time on the road

[@ravisimplay7706]

i have hyundai accent many time a week engine goes off on red lights i am getting horn and again through self it run or when i remove the accelerator please give me some suggestions it really hard to understand

[@ravisimplay7706]

it happened many time when i park or stopping for red lights engine goes off i have to give self again

[@beethoven8256]

I have a damn 2021 Camry LE. And after 25k miles it's hesitating to start! I already changed my Air Filter. Cleaned my MAF sensor and replaced my sparkplugs. I don't know what to do now! Lol

[@BigBassLipRipper]

Really? 25k miles? They are getting cheaper and cheaper.

[@BigBassLipRipper]

It could be a vacuum leak

[@mickeytate1]

Great 👍

[@krisusa8264]

What if it starts fine on first start but after it's been driven awhile then you try to restart and it takes 2 long cranks, could that still be the fuel pressure regulator?

[@inaliaj8]

Can i know what did u do to fix it? As i have the same issue for my toyota

[@santiagovalenzuela7454]

On my Chrysler 300c 2006 when I first try to crank it it doesn’t start, around the 3rd crank is when it’ll start…any idea what it can be?

[@HVAC_Mechanic]

Sounds like the fuel pressure regulator.

[@ShemaneLloyd]

The enging a mist

[@bronem8979]

Anything that relates to it leaking gas ?

[@Txmetal416]

I have a 2006 SIlverado, and a 2005 suburban, both with a hard start issue cold or hot it doesnt matter, it takes several cranks to start and sometimes i get a small backfire. The SIlverado has new factory fuel pump(which has the filter and fuel regulator in it). New throttle body, new battery, new cam sensor, new sparkplugs. new plug wires. Recently i had the battery and alternator checked and they are okay. but the test said that my starter was bad, it always cranks over. Im at a loss, i could do the crank sensor, starter and possibly the ignition switch. Any ideas?

[@MarzNet256]

Check evap purge valve to see if it is stuck open. Also, the backfire might be a timing issue.