Here are Some Tricks to Diagnose a Car That Cranks Too Long Before it Starts

We've all had a car where it is always a hassle trying to get it to fire up and start, it either cranks and cranks before it starts or you have to pump the gas pedal or simply try cranking the engine a couple times before it start. Well in this video I go over some potential causes and fixes that could help you fix this problem.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchetsand Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchetsand Wrenches.

[@gordwrath6811]

Um. I love you. Showing diagrams. Parts. How they work. Explaining things. Why are you not more popular? This is what we need!

[@pfschuyler]

He nailed it, and two mechanics completely missed this. Something with our fuel system pressure. Where have all the good mechanics like this gone?

[@juansalas6259]

They left this cut throat industry. There are easier way to make money. I left in 1994 and went into engineering..

[@ryans413]

A car that’s working well should start on the second to third crank so pretty much instant if it dosnt and it’s a long crank something is up. It should start instantly if the vehicle got good fuel pressure and good spark plugs

[@claireh.7605]

Can rebuilt AUS fuel injectors cause this long crank?

[@sputwino]

Wow Bud, this is absolutely the most informative video I have ever came across that answered every single question in one video. You are the best dude, keep up the good work and God bless you and your family. Thank you

[@bangyai3194]

Great video. Very informative and easy to follow. I was considering pushing the car off a cliff as a permanent fix but having watched this I'll have a closer look at the sensors . ( Already got new plugs, leads and air filter )

[@marcoescalante3041]

Trtonooooootmthjohooonojnohj johjo

[@dinosapien]

I tried this trick on my 2003 Hyundai Accent that was stuck at work for 2 days. After several attempts of repeating the steps over and over, the damn thing started up and luckily I got to drive it home before it went out again. Thanks for the tutorial, you saved me $$$ for a tow.

[@marcosggalvan6903]

Thanks for the troubleshooting tips. IAC and MAF needed cleaning. Running like a champ now.

[@thebordernow]

Kudos to you, Sir - you are a scholar and a gentleman! I like how you not only tell (and then later rank-order) the likely causes for the problem, but how you also give a brief simple explanation about the "Why" behind the various possible culprits. Thanks!

[@AchillesofAchilles]

I subbed. You definitely are a licensed machanic. Unlike 90% of the KZbinrs on KZbin about mechanical issues.

[@ajdemon7435]

just wanted to say thank you. Ive been trying to find someone that could teach me something reliable for the last 4 years or so, cuz as it is, everything i know mechanically i only learned out of mistakes and neccessity, so i really appreciate not having to learn everything via time consuming mistakes that arent very friendly on my wallet. Looking forward to hopefully seeing if any other of your channels are as helpful to me.

[@protoculture289]

I had this very same issue with my car I was able to correct the problem right away by buying a brand new car and just like that all the problems were gone!

[@_sc300]

MonkeyWith72Magic lmao when you could've spent 100 bucks fixing a car that will do the same thing as your new 25,000 dollar car

[@jojomama4787]

MonkeyWith72Magic man,want to do what you did!that 458 is what I'm looking at!!!

[@DavidRamos-fl6dk]

MonkeyWith72Magic so start saving your money now 💸💵💰 because in couple years that one'🚘 going to give you the same problem and you're going to have to buy another brand-new car all because you refused to learn how to repair this one dammit 😥

[@hydroboostoxiaction6271]

Jose C haha why doesn't this have more likes

[@rush45100]

MonkeyWith72Magic lol 😆

[@beehappycoleman7159]

You're an angel for sharing so much knowledge! Being a woman who would not bother to learn about cars (if it were not for KZbin), then I would have to go to books and learn before taking my car to the mechanic. I can actually try a few of these diagnostics myself and take the rest to the mechanic for the fuel pressure test. Thank you!

[@Big_LosF]

hey man this video is GREAT!!! my girls car has been having trouble starting up.. these are all tbings tht im sure i will look into since her car hasnt been serviced in so long.. much appreciated

[@TightWadDIY]

Great job on the video. You explained things very clearly.

[@brandongrenier1141]

great video! As are the other ones. I used the subaru timing belt video to change my impreza's belt. The zip ties worked great!

[@stevenshackelford1937]

After watching your videos... seems I am telling my mechanic more on what to do than I should ever have to. Like one of the comments said..."where have all the knowledgeable mechanics gone" ??? (not to mention the HONEST Ones) Wish I could find one. Your videos are invaluable to us people who don't have money to pay for hit and miss attempts!!! TY so very much.

[@shuriKen469]

i like how after picking up some tools or moving the seat he wanders around at the end of his videos.

[@janahorton3218]

Thank you so much for speaking where I can understand your method of diagnosing my problem and in speaking in plain English

[@kindredspirit2288]

Great video. Thanks for giving me so much information. I thought my battery was bad, but now I know what to check if that isn't the case after I charge it.

[@flightofthefatman]

Informative and to the point! Great video. 🔧

[@evangelista7136]

You are the best, thank you very much for taking time aside to help in us repair our cars.👍👍👍👍👍🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘

[@chandamwila1754]

My Toyota wish does the same. Some times starts after 10 minutes.The problem started after I replaced the fuel filter .The old was clogged so I replaced it.buts that's when car worsened.worse still starter motor is not working when the engine is hot,untill it cools down. I like you explain things.very simple, informative and clear especially for us lay men

[@thearchitect4659]

5 years later and this video came in very helpful on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 8:27 am thanks man glad you do these videos

[@dgr89cof]

Watching this video now 10-4-2022 .

[@tommcdaniel4900]

Just subscribed...Thanks for the video. What I liked about it is, not so much how to fix something...but the HOW TO diagnose the problem in the first place. In other words, the way you describe what to look for, for a certain problem and then you give many options as to what it can be along with simple ways to test for it. :) Thanks man, great video!

[@videosenutube]

Great videos, have learned a lot; looking forward for more. Thank you.

[@johnbravo7542]

Very straight forward,and very well explained,thank you !

[@ethanjarzombek5923]

Great video man! Very informative. Keep up the good work

[@juanperez-rd1ic]

Thank you so much I was having trouble finding the problem

[@theman4077]

Good video, direct and simple & helpful. Thanks

[@KookiDowg]

Will be trying all these tips. Just finished an engine swap on my Honda Prelude and it cranks and all but I'd have to step on the gas in order for it to start.

[@ad5331]

Seriously the best video i found i’ve been looking for where to start for 4 days and you explained everything so well, i’ll get up early tomorrow morning and do all these steps

[@pamelavance648]

Results??

[@Joeelectronicschematicsforauto]

I really love your explanation and your professionalism

[@pttazwilliams]

Great job. Great tips

[@Kama.Boy.13]

A bad (TPS) throttle position sensor on certain makes/models can cause the ECM fuse to blow, make sure after changing the TPS to also change the fuse.

[@djtomins3721]

Most informative DIY auto repair channel. Thanks bro 😀

[@laila_ewing_music]

Thank you so much! You do a terrific job relaying information and we are grateful!

[@VBUGMAN]

thanks for the refresher, i don't usually work on fuel injected cars, but it was my own, I ended up cleaning the mass airflow sensor and fixed my long crank starting issue on my 2000 Ford V10.

[@gregorythomas6283]

Be close to the house

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

I hope this video takes off for you. It leads in to a lot of other videos for your channel that fit in with these types of issues, which you've already done. Props man.

[@JustaJourneyman]

Wow. Super clear explanation. Very helpful!

[@sebastianweber8024]

Very punctual, informative and very well organised. Excellent quality channel, I'll most certainly be going though many of your videos.

[@chaplainand1]

Thank you. I appreciated getting more information about hard starting. I may be able to troubleshoot my 2011 Subaru Forester's problem with intermittent hard starts.

[@valeriem4253]

Thanks for prioritizing what to look at first. My car oddly starts fine when it gets some rest. But throughout the day, it gets slower to start. Thank you for your tips.

[@Hojjiifp]

Did you get it fixed? What is the problem?

[@LA_Commander]

Could be a faulty coolant temperature sensor

[@jackflash5659]

Terrific video! I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@luzejo28]

Wow, thank you! I did that and it worked. :) Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@aprilmosquito2162]

I have this problem and 5 mechanics dont know how to eliminate the problem. They told me it is the fuel injector 😀😀. Then i came to watch this video and thats it. Fuel filter or the pump. Atleast i know that where is the problem. This guy is very helpful! Thank u 🙏🏻

[@davidlobo962]

I grew up in a transmission shop and around cars since I was a baby and that was informative.

[@humanoidweapon6260]

Awesome video, man! I’ll definitely be studying all these videos you’ve linked and do some minor maintenance on my vehicle.

[@ottallman]

My 2012 Scion xB started doing this. Changed the plugs but that’s it. Now to troubleshoot. Thanks for some direction

[@JasonTylerRicci]

I'm just beginning to troubleshoot my Civic that cranks several times before starting. I'll be trying your tip with cycling the key to pinpoint a possible failing fuel pump next. Thanks

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

That MAF test can be gold if you don't have live data. Shoot, it can be helpful even if it isn't. Now if it makes it run better, you've found the issue, but if theres is no change, it's not a guarantee it's good. Thanks for the reminder of a thumbs up at the end! :)

[@myRatchets]

+DE “AutoBravado” Nichols Glad you like that tip for the Maf sensor and thanks for your comments. Cheers

[@Gyppor]

This is great. Lots of leads to diagnose my problem. Thank you!

[@ericjones4983]

I love this video. He he explain things very well. Thank you for posting this video

[@stevestarke5756]

Thank you. Well explained and to the point.😎

[@Dutyammo]

Great video. My low mileage, 22 year old old truck always takes about 8 cranks to start, and it just doesn't sound right. The only time it starts in one or two cranks, is if it's been on a battery charger up until I start it. The battery is fairly new, with good voltage. So I'm guessing the extra charge in the battery helps an old, worn out part, to get enough juice to work the way it should. The coil, rotor and cap, alternator, fuel pump and filter, plugs and wires are all new. So I'm thinking distributor. It's always started a bit funky, since when I got it, the in tank fuel pump was shot. It was a school district truck, that laid around for many years, so I replaced many parts.

[@sblagg527]

Hello! Stumbled across this video while looking for ways to diagnose a hard start condition on my 99 Nissan Maxima. Several months back the built-in factory immobilizer security system stopped recognizing my key chip causing the car not to start at all. Long story short-- the dealership wanted to replace the immobilizer AND my ECU to the tune of $2200, so I found a locksmith familiar with this problem who reprogrammed my ECU and/ or the immobilizer (not sure exactly what he did there) and reprogrammed my key chip for WAAAY cheaper. The car has always started since then, BUT now it usually cranks several times before starting, and not only that it actually seems to cut out completely sometimes while cranking and then come back. Also sometimes the engine sort of "bangs" into a start. I replaced the starter itself a few months back to see if that would help, and upon the first several startups after that it fired right up with no hesitation at all, but it has gotten worse again over time to where it now has the same problem of cranking several times and/or cutting out before starting. Any idea what this could be? This car uses coil-on-plugs so I'm wondering if I burned out a coil pack trying to start it so many times? Thanks in advance & love your videos!

[@funwithry1320]

Nice! Straight to the point!

[@olfeno7506]

Great video! You did not mention fuel pressure regulators (usually vacuum controlled) when you talked about fuel pressure. This is a common issue on some Volvo S40s.

[@troymartinez7343]

Great video! Thank you so much for all the great info!

[@niobeofzion4386]

Tried turning the key and waiting 10 seconds, did it just 2 times then turned all the way to start engine IT WORKED!!!! Thank you, thank you THANK YOU. 👍🤩

[@madman327]

Love your videos! Very informative! Do a short Video on flood mode for fuel injection vehicles and how to reset it by maker.. This is what happened to my 07 Toyota Matrix. Not a lot of information on it online and may get a lot of views!

[@rabindranathramsarop]

this is a video with good possible solutions to an annoying problem.

[@ecgodsmack86]

Chino Moreno is a mechanic haha. Good video bro

[@flightofthefatman]

This is good video to save to your playlist.

[@superstarracer8592]

Very helpful and informative thanks

[@ChristopheZ]

I know this video is old....but it was relevant to me today!!!! car started fine this morning, drove to walmart ( started fine again), drove to Autozone and then had a long crank start...then car was a little sluggish to accelerate....when home, started the car a few times and still had a long crank ( 2.5 seconds) ...so, I looked online and found this video!! did the "TURN KEY 3 Times" and it worked!!! car started normally ( 1.3 seconds)... Anyways, I am replacing the fuel filter as mine has a little over 60K miles on it!!!! lol SO THANK YOU :)

[@kapamilyastarshowbiznewsby2511]

thank you..from New Zealand Car enthusiast.

[@garyotterson6100]

Something funny here, this is the exact car I am running diagnostics on. 1996? camry. Gotta fix a lot with her. Thanks for posting this!

[@bizeigel]

hey Mr R and W. I like your videos. I've watched a bunch. I recently replaced the fuel filter on my 1997 Toyota 4 runner 3vzfe ( 2.7 4 cyl ) motor. it was hard to do. Its located under the intake manifold. Gotta take off drivers side wheel to get to bracket with 24 inch extension. Finally got it done. Now have warm hard start condition. Cold start ok. I think the new ( OEM ) fuel filter either doesn't have a check valve or needs one or ?? cycling key twice does nothing to change this. MAF and Throttle body clean. IAC clean. New platinum denso dual electrode plugs. Clean Air filter . motor runs fantastic with lots torque and runs even on all cylinders. Just hard warm start condition after recent fuel filter change. Thanks !

[@tonyperkis9561]

Impala does same thing. Just a couple weeks ago cranked in 2 seconds. Now about 5. Random gm electric issues a few weeks ago got in started car and almost no interior lights. Probably just alternator: all my gm cars never a fuss with engine. Just cheap electrical and plastics. Thanks for the video!

[@guidolongshanks5383]

Nice piece of info, thanks.

[@lestersmart8452]

Nice!!!! Thank you sir! Now I have a more basic idea what to actually look for!!!!! Thank you!!

[@jimmypersaud119]

Love your videos ....very educational ...

[@billytruss861]

Once again another GREAT and informative video. Thanks for the tips.

[@myRatchets]

+Billy Truss np, thanks for watching.

[@billytruss861]

+RatchetsAnd Wrenches BTW, I only have this problem when the car has sit 4-5 hous. Otherwise it starts right up.

[@aroncells3120]

great vid has been very helpful thanks

[@timh9671]

You sir are f@#$ing awesome!! All I needed to do was change my fuel filter. Thank you so much. You rock.

[@chrismezzz]

you are a hero. great video. thank you

[@musengademiassinkala7290]

Thanks for step by step tips

[@b.jlovett]

Thanks for the video......very helpful.

[@gafurrzogaj1426]

Thx bro for narrowing it down for me I was thinking my starter is dying lol now I will check the fuel filter and pump 😎

[@MMGJ10]

I have an 05 Town and Country thats having a long crank sometimes too start but runs very well, other than a little rough idle while sitting at a light with foot on brake. If i tap the gas as i try to start it, it'll start right up. 194,000miles. Well maintained, new oe plugs and wires, air filter, and I've recently cleaned the throttle body.

[@JCsFluffyTail]

omg great timing on this vid, my 99 pontiac gtp been doing this, hopefully your advice can help find n fix the problem.

[@myRatchets]

+JCsFluffyTail Hope it helps you out, let us know how it goes. GL

[@Colombo5218]

Brilliant! You are a very logical and wonderful communicator. Thank you very much. I wish i knew all this 20 years ago when I had the same problem which no one could diagnose.AAAh!

[@chriswagner4398]

Great information first tip help solve the issue thanks

[@chrisstanley2646]

Good advice. Thanks.

[@Paulnunz_]

Great video man, thanks a lot

[@beebeebearbear]

great video and instructions.

[@Carlostype]

great tips

[@1lifeonearth]

wow this is a great video thanks!

[@nassermj7671]

Great tips!

[@cobar5342]

Thank you for a very helpful video

[@tisaac2142]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@ronmtz4622]

I smell a bit of fuel after turning the Tacoma off. It doesn't seem to be a leaking from the filter, which I recently replaced, so maybe now I will look at the injector seals. It does seem like a vacuum leak in the fuel line. After that, and a pressure test, I may look at the fuel pump. Anyway, always good to check the air filter too. Thanks for the tips!

[@Ytube099]

Good video. Thanks!!

[@neilmurray9523]

Thank you , much needed info

[@khurramejaz2944]

Thanks a lot and keep it up

[@carslover3509]

great info

[@Z33Garage]

Fantastic video. My wifes Nissan versa started doing this a few days go. ( these have in sump pump/ filter/ regulator combos. Car cranks cranks cranks cranks and then starts. Checked the battery and thats fine too. I did the key on/ wait / off x3 procedure you showed and it seems to indicate that the fuel pressure is too low. When I do this procedure the car starts up as normal. Nissan Datascan doesnt appear to have a fuel pressure reading for this car, so and I dont want to T into a fuel line to get reading from my fuel gauge, ( doesnt match any port anyway). My question is why would the car have low fuel pressure ( or a bad reg) yet when the car runs / highway, there is no hesitation or lean condition occurring?

[@christianlopez6148]

Really great video!!

[@marmac7619]

It worked! OMG it actually worked! I have an older 88 honda civic and frankly, i barely drive it, atleast not long miles. But i've been having this problem off & on for about 6 years (would probably be 2 years in normal use, years)? But my car almost always starts when the engine is cold. But drive for 15 Ms & turn it off, and then try & start it again in less than 15Ms and it won't start. Now usually, if i waited 5 or 10ms, it will finally start. (Sometimes i would roll it back & forth one time & that worked). In fact, only once, until last week, had it just not started & it had to be left overnight somewhere, but when i returned to it the next morning, sure enuf, it started with no problem. Alas, last week it wouldn't even start from cold (but atleast i was home in my garage) and even after trying my self-starting battery charger (since it had sat for 4 days) that didn't work either. I finally called AAA after 2 days & they tried that and nada. So i asked if he could check for starter or alternator issues, and he told me that the car has to actually be RUNNING to check those. So, i waited 2.5 more days and went out when the outdoor temp got down to 55 (3am) and tried your trick and sure enuf, it cranked over like no problem. I then had to drive it for half an hour (pretty scary for a female) to build the battery back up, jic, but it DID - start! Now i have to get it started during the day, as the weather heats up (not helpful), so i can drive it to a shop to look at it, but again, with your trick, maybe or atleast i now have hope, that it will start when i can go get some help, so THANK YOU!!!!!

[@pedrocarvajal8288]

Nice video man

[@thecrazymanfromireland]

Very interesting channel subbed 👍👍👍