Weird No Start issue

[markfagus]

Guys, I need your expertise as I am stumped.

I have a 1988 3.0, automatic, 275k on the clock, engine gone thru at 259k and it runs awesome. Fires right up on the initial turn of the key. I drive it daily and put 300-400 miles a week on her.

But....
every once in a while (meaning every 2 months or so) I have a condition where it wont start. I turn the key and it cranks butwont start.
However, if I spray some starting fluid into it, it starts right up and then runs perfectly fine for the next few months til this happens again. Then the process repeats.

A little more detail, it has only happened to me at home after the truck has set for several hours. But after the initial start it is perfectly fine.

1.5 years and 17k miles ago when the motor was gone thru, it also got new belts, hoses, a full tune up (plugs, wires, rotor, cap, etc) replaced head gasket, did a tranny flush, etc...

OK brothers, any suggestions what is causing this intermittent issue? Again, it only happens maybe once in about every 500 starts.


Thanks.

Mark

 

[combatmedic]

Mine occasionally after being driven a short distance after being cold then shut off wont start right back up. For instance, crank her up early, go to gas station, shut engine off, fill up, then she wont crank back up. I wiggled the TPS sensor once and it worked, another time it wouldn't. However my issue hasn't happened in quite some time though. Sorry I know this doesn't help any lol.... Try the TPS ?

 

[SV_Dude]

It could be a number of things but it would be very hard to trace when it's such an intermittent issue. If it starts right up with starting fluid then I would guess it's a fuel related issue. Maybe your fuel pump is starting to go out? You can troubleshoot things all day long but if it's an intermittent issue then your troubleshooting can give you mixed results.

I would say to keep doing what you're doing until something completely breaks or it just won't start at all or at least until the starting issue is more persistent.

 

[KidVermicious]

Reapplication of voltage can clear lots of electrical problems (says the guy who troubleshoots phone lines for a living). Until you hit it with starter fluid and it doesn't start, I agree that the fuel pump could be the problem.

 

[shermanricharde]

I've have the same issue with a 1997, 4 cyl, 380K miles. I've been using starting fluid for the past 8 months. Only need it every 10 or 20 times i try to crank it. I checked the fuel pressure(no problem), replaced plugs, wires, dist cap, etc, but no change. I plan to take the TBI and Idle Air Control Valve apart soon, but wanted to know if you've got any additional info on your problem.