Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:41 am

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Hi, I'm in dire need of some help. Just bought a used 01 Maxima. Just 2 days ago after I had my oil changed, the car starts but the engine won't go on unless I pump the gas a lil bit while turning the ignition key. Can anyone tell me what's wrong, what to do to fix it and ....how much it will cost? Any help is sooooooooo appreciated!

Post by **marlin29311** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:06 am

Does the car have trouble turning over? Aka, is the battery/electrical system ok?

Post by **AZhitman** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:18 am

Pumping the throttle on a FI car has no real effect.

A lot of old-school guys (myself included) developed the habit from driving carb'ed cars, and pumping the pedal works the accelerator pump, thereby dumping fuel and making for an easier (sometimes) cold start.

On a FI car with a throttle body, SOMETIMES if the fuel is "loading up", cranking the car with the throttle mashed to the floor will open the throttle plate and allow more air into the CC, allowing it to start.

Try that - If that works, then you're dumping too much fuel, and we can look at injectors, MAF, etc.

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:27 am

Actually...all the dashboard lights are on, the 'tcs off', 'slip' and engine light...should I get a diagnostics check up to see whats wrong. Oh and after the car is warmed up, like if I drive it for a good 20 min or so, the car will start fine. It's the initial start that I'm having trouble with.

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:28 am

Sorry, I dont know too much about cars. What is an FI car? And is it bad for the engine for me to pump the gas with each start? Thanks for replying

Post by **Orlandos13** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:39 am

Why don't you try turning on and off the ignition switch a couple of times before turning on the car, that may help.

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:44 am

Yea, i've tried that. I even tried just turning on the ignition for a minute or so then tried starting the car. Thanks for replying.

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:45 am

My friend suggested I get a couple of bottles of fuel injection cleaner and also suggested to tighted up the cables that pull on the gas and the rev..would that help?

Post by **Tom Dubya** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:01 am

FI= fuel injection

Post by **marlin29311** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:08 am

applehat123 wrote:Actually...all the dashboard lights are on, the 'tcs off', 'slip' and engine light...should I get a diagnostics check up to see whats wrong. Oh and after the car is warmed up, like if I drive it for a good 20 min or so, the car will start fine. It's the initial start that I'm having trouble with.

The lights going on doesn't mean you have a good battery - i meant does the starter lag, like instead of a quick crisp start, does it really sag and chug along?

Post by **fdsuperman** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:54 pm

hey man i had the same problem. try checking the alternator that was my problem

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:15 pm

When the car is warmed up it has no problem starting, no lag. Just when I start it in the morning, or when it's been sitting there for more than an hour or so

Post by **applehat123** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:15 pm

What did u do to fix it? Did you have to get a new one or just tune it up? How much does an alternator cost?

Post by **Orlandos13** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:44 am

You should check the fuel filter.........

Post by **trent.davis23** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:50 pm

applehat123 wrote: also suggested to tighted up the cables that pull on the gas and the rev..would that help?

For the love of god please don't do that. you risk changing the idle speed and could also cause damage to your car.

Post by **MinisterofDOOM** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:28 pm

applehat123 wrote:Sorry, I dont know too much about cars. What is an FI car? And is it bad for the engine for me to pump the gas with each start? Thanks for replying

As noted a few posts up, FI stands for Fuel Injection, which nearly every car since 1990 has used. With fuel injection, which is electronic, the gas pedal doesn't do anything until the car is actually running.With carburetors (mechanical/vacuum instead of electronic) the gas pedal works even with the car off. Pumping the gas on a carb'd car has pretty much the same effect as the "primer" button on snow blowers and lawn mowers.

On fuel injected motors, pumping the gas pedal doesn't hurt anything. It doesn't do any good, either, though.

Post by **remzon** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:36 am

hey applehat. i'm having exact same problem with my 93 240sx. i've changed oil, fuel filter, alternator, seafoamed intake, seafoamed a full tank of gas...the list goes on and i'm still having the same problem. just wondering if you ended up finding the culprit so i can narrow down my list of things to check. THANKS!

Post by **Stratokat** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:12 am

having the same issue with my 92 s13 w/ sr20det swap. on a cold start it takes me taping the gass pedal while cranking to get it started.

Post by **Mr_Max** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 5:35 pm

I KNO HOW TO FIX IT!'''' ...new. T/B or major cleaning in the morning its cold the junk in ur T/B ..tened not to open and dies out but when u rev the T/B opens up agaist the crap..recommend cleaning with super clean degresser it is going to have to come off to be cleaned..finally.. don't use s*** pluggs Double PLATNUM
my max has been runing great premium fuel will work a marical i run it once a week $35.00. any question. hmu

johns_nissan_silvia · Tue Jun 30, 2015 11:44 pm

mr max wtf is a t/b

Post by **NutriaforBreakfast** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:33 am

T/B is the throttle body
What needs to be cleaned is the Throttle body plate and the surrounding area known as the the throttle body
The plate has to close agianst the body or has to open from the body to get a good idle or just to run
There are springs, pins, cables in that area that get dirty from fuel burned or just plain dirt
I have seen instances of so much carbon it messes up the idle

Jbstaps · Post by **Jbstaps** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 2:03 am

Have you tried changing, sometimes cleaning works too, the crankshaft sensor? Had the se issue in my 04 g35, and after I replaced it, which takes about 15 minutes, no more issue.

Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (marlin29311)

Re: (AZhitman)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (Orlandos13)

Re: (AZhitman)

Re: (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (marlin29311)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (fdsuperman)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (applehat123)

Re: (applehat123)

Re: (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (applehat123)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal (remzon)

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

Re: Car won't start unless I pump the gas pedal

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