Hard Start.....sometimes

[phantomgti]

Hi Everyone.My first post here!I've been having a problem with my 04 Vibe (Automatic). Once in a while, I'll have a hard time starting the car. I hear the engine turning over but it won't fire. I'd try it again right after and it'll start but won't necessarily roar to life. The part that leaves me scratching my head is that it only happens intermitently. Maybe once every 50 times I start my car. I've taken my car to the dealer and explained the problem. There were no codes stored on the cpu and they weren't able to replicate the problem.Has anybody had this problem before or know what it may be?Thanks, Trevor

[Merzbow]

I only have that problem when I have my radio on with the car off for like 20 minutes or longer. It drains the battery. Maybe it's the battery? Not real sure, kinda surprised the dealer doesn't know...not really (removed), dealers don't know ANYTHING about cars unfortunately...Mine didn't even know what a supercharger was when I asked him!!!

[PhillyVibeGT]

yep! it's the battery, not enough amps to crank the car over in the cold weather, well just enough I guess. But I do remember someone saying something about the 1 and 2zz motors take a second to start up, unlike other cars.

[phantomgti]

Thanks for the input guys.....The battery came across my mind but the weather here hasn't been cold and it's been happening even when the weather was warm in the summer.How would I go about checking the number of my motor?

[Mase]

I had the same problem this morning for the first time ever. It was 30 degrees out and my entire car was frosted over. It took 3 seconds (instead of the normal 1 second) of cranking before it started. BTW, I have an Optima YT battery.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by phantomgti »Thanks for the input guys.....The battery came across my mind but the weather here hasn't been cold and it's been happening even when the weather was warm in the summer.How would I go about checking the number of my motor? If you drive a base or AWD model, it's 1ZZ.2ZZ is GT only.Your battery is likely the cause...get it tested at an Autozone or similar establishment...While Toyota designs into their engines a sort of "protection" that won't let the engine start until it turns 2-3 times, it shouldn't be "slow" to start. Check your CCA rating on your battery. Likely it's 310. If your car is still under the 3/36 warranty, and you can find a dealer that isn't a (removed), there's a TSB that will replace that battery in certain climates with a better cold-start performing battery...

[zionzr2]

If you want to use your radio or other accesories longer without the car running get a Yellow-TOP Optima battery...Theyhave a long drain capasity and plenty more CCA for those cold mornings

[Atomb]

considering that the starter is turning the engine over but it's not firing...wouldn't you say the battery is fine? I had a similar problem with my old VW and in the end it was a short on the distributor cap. If the starter is turning the engine over then the battery has enough power. That power is not getting to the spark plugs to begin the combustion process.The fact that it happens so infrequently also sounds like my VW. After making a few notes on weather, time sitting, etc. i found a pattern:It was happening whenever there was excessive dew/frost in the morning or if it rained overnight. the moisture was allowing the short at the cap to occur 'easier'(?). In the long run, changing the cap and plugs pretty much solved the problem...Just a thought. It just seems strange that the starter can turn the engine over ...so i don't like the idea of blaming the battery as the starter seems to be getting power alright!

[Mase]

The battery has to at least be able to turn the engine at 250rpm for a good start up. If the battery cant produce the power to keep the engine revs up to produce proper compression, the engine will have a hard time starting.You wont have to worry about a problem with a rotor or cap, our engines have ignition coils and igniters stacked directly on top of the spark plugs.

[Atomb]

Quote, originally posted by Mase »You wont have to worry about a problem with a rotor or cap, our engines have ignition coils and igniters stacked directly on top of the spark plugs.I realize that, but could there be a short somewhere not letting the sparks ignite that would result in the same symptoms? (the rotor/cap example was to introduce the concept of a short in the engine somewhere)

[Dezz1]

Personally, Pontiac should have installed Higher Cranking Amp bateries for their GT's, or a more powerful Alternator to tell you the truth.

[rated_w]

the stock vibe/matrix/corolla batteries are 310 cca (cold cranking amps) .. it's pretty pathetic with an 80 amp alternator (hitting peak at 4000 RPM) (for the 1zz's) .. well anyways.. my battery died so I got one that has 550 cca .. I recommend getting yellow optima top though.. if you guys have a system in your trunk/hatch.. it'll help out a lot.