Ask Your Car Question. Car Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Car Question?)

I have 1997 Elantra w/72k miles. It starts fine when cold ...

Sent to Car Experts May 13 11:29 AM

I have 1997 Elantra w/72k miles. It starts fine when cold but only turns over if it has been recently driven. We must let it sit for awhile before starting it?

 

Optional Information:
1997 Hyundai Elantra 1.8L,manual

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
May 13 5:31 PM (6 hours and 1 minute and 7 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hello.The best way to proceed here is to treat it as a normal no start condition.I strongly suspect the fuel pump relay malfunctioning but perform the tests below to see what is occuring.

Here are the procedures to check for a no start on a fuel injected engine.It will require a couple diagnostic tools that you do nt most likely posess,but may be able to obtain through a tool loan or rental program at many parts stores.

In order for an engine to run it needs the following:

1. Fuel (Fuel pressure gauge)
2. Spark (In line Spark tester)
3. Injector pulse (Noid Lights)
4. Air/Compression

You must determine which one or more is missing to proceed.

You can reduce the troubleshooting by spraying carb clean or a little ether into the intake throttle body to see if it attempts to start.If it does, then there is a problem with fuel delivery and not ignition.This will tell you whether or not there is fuel being delivered and isolate the issue to fuel pressure/delivery or injector control circuits.

FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE SHOULD BE 44 PSI(POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH) 

DISCONNECT NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THEN PROCEED TO 
VENT THE FUEL TANK VAPORS BY LOOSENING THE FUEL CAP.  
THEN DISCONNECT THE FUEL PUMP HARNESS CONNECTOR       
PLUG, CONNECT THE BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE AND START THE
ENGINE . ALLOW THE ENGINE TO OPERATE UNTIL IT RUNS    
OUT OF FUEL AND STALLS.                               
AFTER SPINNING THE ENGINE OVER FOR A PERIOD OF (3) TO 
(5) SECONDS, TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND         
RECONNECT THE HARNESS CONNECTIONS.  REMOVE THE BANJO  
BOLT ASSEMBLY AT THE FUEL FILTER, INSTALL THE FUEL    
PRESSURE GAUGE IN THE SUPPLY LINE, AND SECURE THE FUEL
TANK CAP.  DISCONNECT AND PLUG OFF THE VACUUM HOSE FOR
THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, AND WITH THE IGNITION KEY
IN THE ON POSITION, VERIFY THAT NO LEAKS ARE PRESENT. 
START THE ENGINE AND VISUALLY VERIFY THE PSI READING  
ON THE GAUGE WHILE THE ENGINE IS IDLING.

You can check for spark at a spark plug wire while cranking with a flat tip driver or in line spark tester inserted into the plug wire boot and placed close to any metal part on the engine besides the fuel system lines and fittings or just plugged back onto the spark plug if using an inline tester.

In the engine compartment there is a fuel pump test connector.Jumping this will bypass the relay and send power straight to the pump.If it starts by doing this we can assume that the relay is faulty.

Images available only to Customers.

Images available only to Customers.

NOID LIGHTS. Follow instructions on box.They should flash while cranking the engine when plugged into the injector connector.


To check injector pulse you will need a noid light set which can be purchased at your local parts store or through tool rental or loan programs as mentioned above.(Picture below)

To check for air just make sure the air filter is not totally restricted.

To check compression install compression gauge in each cylinder,crank engine,record reading for each cylinder.Look for a big variance between cyls.

If all of this is OK you may have contaminated fuel.

Please post back with your results so that we may help you through you car trouble.




"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Info Request
May 14 10:11 AM (16 hours and 40 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
How did you make out with this?Do you need more help?

"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Reply
May 14 11:55 PM (13 hours and 43 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
Reply to Michael's Post: I was hoping for an answer that would explain why it doesn't start when the engine is hot. I was assuming that it is a flaw common to hyundai elantras (I purchased the vehicle at an action recently) or something easily diagnosed because of the hot engine/cold engine difference. It also is something that happens some of the time but not all the time. To go through the diagnostic procedure will take some time which I will not have for several weeks.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 15 5:10 AM (5 hours and 15 minutes later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

No,There are no recalls or Technical Service Bulletins related to this issue.It will take diagnosis to isolate the problem.I'm sorry if you did not want an Expert answer here but it's the correct way to proceed none the less.

Please don't forget to click my ACCEPT Button if my answer is helpful.I do not recieve a small portion of your deposit or offer unless you click my ACCEPT button.I receive a larger percentage of a Bonus than I do of the question value.So bonuses are GREATLY appreciated.So if I was of any help at all here, please return and click my Accept button or I receive nothing for trying to help you out.Thanx,Michael.



"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Reply
May 15 9:43 PM (16 hours and 33 minutes later)
         
Reply to Michael's Post: What does the hot vs cold issue reveal to you as an expert auto technician?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 15 10:03 PM (20 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
THIS ANSWER IS LOCKED!
You can view this answer by clicking here to Register or Login and paying $3.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Info Request
May 17 5:49 PM (1 day and 19 hours later)
         
Do you still need help or did you isolate the issue to a specific area yet?

"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > Car Repair