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94 metro unpredictable non-starts


KMB79
05-26-2004, 02:49 PM
My 94 Geo Metro has been having problems starting for around a year now. It seems to occur mainly when it is warm out, and humidity may also play a part, in fact it was fine all winter and just started up having problems again last week when it got hot out. It started out last summer with taking 2-3 attempts to start, and progressed to where it would sometimes take upwards of 15 minutes to get it to start. It always sounds like it is going to start, but acts like the gas just doesn't get through. I never know when this will happen. Sometimes it will start fine 3 out of 4 times that I drive it that day, but once it will have problems. It doesn't seem to depend on how long it's been sitting since the last time I started it, sometimes it will have sat all night, sometimes just 45 minutes. The mechanic I took it too thought it was the fuel injector, so I replaced that in March, but the problem started up again anyway when it got hot out. If anyone has had a similar problem, or knows what this may be I would really appreciate any information you can share.

Thanks,
KB

geojim
05-26-2004, 03:52 PM
When is the last time you did a full tune up - spark plugs, wires, dist cap, rotor, fuel filter, air cleaner, etc? Is the check engine light on? A component, wiring, or sensor that has become intermittent during hot weather can be a bear to find.

KMB79
05-26-2004, 03:56 PM
Thanks for replying. All of that stuff has been checked out, and the engine light does not come one when this occurs. The car has even spent multiple days at the mechanics hooked up to sensors.

geojim
05-26-2004, 04:07 PM
On the wife's Integra, intermittent non-start problems turned out to be cold solder joints on the main relay. On the old VW Beetle, it turned out to be a fuel pump that didn't like hot weather. Hope you find it.

KMB79
05-26-2004, 04:10 PM
Thank you for the information. Hopefully it will get figured out soon.

geojim
05-26-2004, 04:42 PM
There are several relays under the hood on the driver's side. Maybe one has become temperature sensitive. Next time it doesn't start, try lightly taping on them and see if it then starts.

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