S14 SR sometimes not starting.

[EmeraldBlueZenki]

Hey, im new to the forums but I know how this works. I've looked around for people with problems like mine but no luck.

Car: s14 w/ s14 sr20det
Mods: walbro 255lph fp & turbo elbow
Problem: My car doesn't always start but it always cranks and cranks hard. I hear the fuel pump prime every time as well. One thing that is strange is that the two blue Ignition relays in the drivers side relay block click at random while driving, giving gas, decelerating, while the car is hot, and while its cold. Basically clicking at random. When they click my revs drop. I've bench tested the relays and they were fine, but i replaced them for kicks. I'm not sure if the relays clicking started the same time my car started becoming temperamental or if the starting problem is related.

The car is getting fuel and i have spark. And a trick ive found to getting the engine to fire once is to unplug the CAS and plug it in while cranking the engine. The engine then fires once and with some throttle itll stabilize and stay on. This doesn't always work though. =/

What im honestly looking for is someone who has experienced something identical. Google searching has always pointed me to zilvia so i figured i might aswell join and get direct input as opposed to hunting for a problem no one seems to have. Any input at all would be awesome.

Thanks
-Chris

[EmeraldBlueZenki]

No one has had this problem before? =/

Ive got spark, fuel, and the engine usually turns on. But the odd time it doesn't.
The car always cranks hard and my battery is fine. As is my alternator. Ive had this problem for 3 months now.. Im losing hope. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cotbu]

You now have CAS codes stored. clear those first then try applying the throttle a few times before starting. If you don't have to keep the throttle fully open, I'd say it's your IACV and you can try opening it up some. GL

[EmeraldBlueZenki]

The car will fire if I continue cranking it for 10-15secs. And then with a bit of gas itll turn on. The car starts now for whatever reason, but ill clear the codes and try opening up the IACV the next time it doesnt want to start. Thanks for the reply.

If it fires after cranking for a bit, could that throw something into the mix or does it help point towards something being the problem?

[dil han]

My car is doing same thing. S14 SR all real RHD with no aftermarket wiring. Car takes forever to crank. 7-10 tries. Once cranked it idles and runs fine. Dunno what it is.

[EmeraldBlueZenki]

Update and recap:
- New battery
- New ignition switch
- New fuel pump (Walbro)
- New fuel filter
- New coolant temp sensor
- New knock sensor
- Vacuum at 19 on idle so no leaks
- Car pulls nicely after timing set properly
- Alternator is fine
- Relays don't click anymore (was a bad ground)
- Swapped coil pack for a known working set and didn't change anything
- Reset ECU to see if stored codes are keeping it from starting, didn't help (disconnected battery and pressed the brake for a bit to drain any left over power and let it sit for 5 mins)
- Ecu connection is not loose

Symptoms: Car will start 10 times no problem, and then on the 11th try it wont start, and it wont start again for at least a few hours if not more. Car always cranks hard but doesn't fire.

4 months into this headache and I've had no luck =/

It'd be so much easier to deal with if the car just didn't start AT ALL.

As always, any input is extremely welcome. What am I missing/haven't checked?

Thanks
-Chris

[jr_ss]

Check your ignitor... Does it seem to happen when more often after the car was running? Or does it not really matter?

[EmeraldBlueZenki]

Yeah, id say it happens more often after the car was running. Although it also happens after hours or days not driving it. And I always check the battery for low voltage to rule that out aswell.

[EmeraldBlueZenki]

Swapped ignitor chip with a known working one and nothing changed. Also tested power to injectors getting 12+V on each injector.

Any more ideas?

Thanks
-Chris

[alex7]

Crank angle sensor wiring ... is the wiring exposed at any section (due to wear/age) seems like a heat/wiring issue if it will start fine cold, but after some heat / driving it stops starting..

[gostrider]

In for solution