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View Full Version : Starting problems - only wants to cold start and hesitates when accelerating


JfBrshie56
04-16-2008, 05:07 PM
Here's the problem I'm having, and what I've checked so far:

Car starts just fine cold, but if I run it for a while, then turn it off and try to restart it soon thereafter - it just sputters and dies. If I give it plenty of gas for a bit, it will usually settle down into the 700 RPM range after I let off the throttle. While driving, it hesitates quite a bit if I really punch it - it's enough to make me scared to let anyone else drive it.

On long trips (3+ hrs), it will seem to lurch the tiniest bit, then rev up a couple hundred RPM - after maybe 20 minutes or so (estimating), the check engine light then pops on. The last few long drives I took it on, it got really 'jerky' and slowed down. I had to pull over and wait a bit - then started it up and everything ran alright again.

-115k miles, I recently changed the plugs and wires.
-Fuel filter was changed around 100k
-My fiancee was driving the car while I was out of town once and couldn't get it to start at all . . . she had it towed into a shop in downtown Chicago (yikes), where they supposedly replaced the throttle body.
-While I was replacing my struts, I noticed a big crack in the elbow on the PCV valve hose, so I replaced that.

Still having the same problems after that, although after the 'new' throttle body was put in - it definitely wasn't quite as bad as before.

That's all I can think of right now. Any thoughts?

JfBrshie56
04-22-2008, 11:00 PM
I got my hands on a code-reader today, and was greeted with 3 errors:

P0101 - Mass air flow sensor circuit, range or performance problem
P0131 - Oxygen sensor circuit, low voltage (upstream)
P0300 - Random/multiple cylinder misfire detected

Yikes. Anyway, is it possible that the O2 sensor problem is caused by the MAF sensor failing? I may try to clean the MAF and replace the O2 sensor . . .

Meathead
04-22-2008, 11:36 PM
That might do it

JfBrshie56
04-23-2008, 08:22 AM
Update if anyone looks here searching for a solution to their own problem -

I cleaned out the MAF sensor with some rubbing alcohol and q-tips (that thing was filthy), and it runs almost like she's new again. I'd definitely recommend trying that FIRST if you're having any kind of hesitation, performance problems, etc. It takes about 15 minutes and costs about $3 for the supplies if you don't have them around the house already.

It remains to be seen if my O2 sensor really needs replaced, but I may just do it anyway . . .