J30 Cold Start Problem

[eccent]

I have a 94 J30T that's had intermittent cold start issues where I can hear the starter and engine cranking but the fuel doesn't kick in. I've looked online and asked an Infiniti Service center and all say to try holding the gas down for 1/3, 2/3, or all of the way to try to flush the gas out but that hasn't worked. The last tip they said was to leave it in that starting mode for 10 seconds and that it should kick in, but it hasn't. They said if that doesn't work, I'd have to wait 8-10 hours.

Could someone please tell me what else I can try to do in layman's terms? I think I read something about removing the fuel injector fuse and trying but that didn't work. It hasn't started in the last three days and I'm pressured because I need to move to a new apartment in two days.

[NismoChi]

Did you hear the fuel pump run when you trun the key on(before you crank the engine), the pump should run for ~5 secs to pressureize the fuel system, if it doesn't you may need a new fuel pump. check your fuse for the fuel pump ,too. Also, spend $15 for a new fuel filter, to see if it change anything. Where San Francisco are you in, if you need your car fix, i might be able to help. here is my [email protected]

[eccent]

I'm not sure what the fuel pump sounds like.The fuse looks fine.I had the fuel filter replaced last week by Infiniti Service Dept.San Francisco close to Daly City off 19th Ave.

[driverdriver]

The fuel pump will have a kind of faint buzz vaccuum sound. Here is a better test. Get a family member or friend to turn the key to the one position on the ignition and you stand with your ear next to where the gas filler is (do not open the fuel cap). If you hear something, your fuel pump is pressurizing. If you don't its toast. Time for a new pump.

[eccent]

I tried hearing from the trunk but didn't hear anything. But as of 4PM that day, the car just started working. Some say it has something to do with being a warmer environment but I'm not entirely sure. Two days later, the check engine light came on for about 10 seconds but then went away. I'll have to go somewhere to see what the error is.

[tomsj30]

i was reading about your trouble i have the same exact thing happing to me now what did you ever figure out

[eccent]

Well, I didn't do anything. The car just started after a long lapse.

But as of yesterday the issue returned again. Right before it stopped working, I did make a short 5 minute drive to the ATM at I guess 55 degrees F at night. So, maybe they're right when they say not to make short drives.

A taxi driver said the same thing happens to all their crown vics and they kick the car. I should have asked where exactly to kick it. I tried kicking and punching around the fuel cap area but aren't quite sure that's the spot.

I also had the oil changed a month ago with Castrol 10w-30 yet infinitihelp says to use SAE 5W-30http://www.infinitihelp.com/Ow...t.htmDoes anyone think the oil makes that much difference? If so, I'll change the oil again.
Modified by eccent at 11:14 AM 5/30/2006

[NismoChi]

The only way to test the fuel pump it to attach a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel line to read the fuel pressure to determine if the fuel pump is in fact bad or going bad. Also, using 10w30 oil instead of 5w30 is not going to cause this problem. Not in the mild weather like here in the bay area.

[elan]

The only way to test the fuel pump it to attach a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel line to read the fuel pressure to determine if the fuel pump is in fact bad or going bad. Also, using 10w30 oil instead of 5w30 is not going to cause this problem. Not in the mild weather like here in the bay area.

There are usually 2 problems that couse engine start problem as of my experience back to Russian military trucks. Ignition or fuel delivery

Nismo, makes a very good point. Check the pressure. It looks like your fuel system is cloged somewhere or the pump is dead. The fact that you can start it sometime means it's centralizes somewhere. Either a bad contact in one place or the delivery is stopped. The oil is definitely not a problem.

The simplies way what I did was (I do not know if it will work here) Trying to start the engine for some time. If it doesn ot start take one spark plug out. If it's wet then the fuel is getting into the cylinder and most likely it's the ignition. Then connect the sparkplug to the block and try to start and see if the it fires. If it does not move forward an figure out why not. If it does there is something wrong with the firing timing. Check all the wires that they are good and not dry. If they are dry the isolation is bad so it can short to the body and cause problems. Then I think the last things would be different sensors like cranc position , the computer, etc. But again the fact that you can start it sometimes means you have a bad contact somewhere or the isolation is bad or the fuel is not delivered well
Modified by elan at 1:33 PM 5/30/2006

[DominickJ30]

A taxi driver said the same thing happens to all their crown vics and they kick the car. I should have asked where exactly to kick it. I tried kicking and punching around the fuel cap area but aren't quite sure that's the spot.

, thats because fords have something in the sorts of a safety switch, that cuts off the fuel pump in case of a collision. And even then if you kick it, it will probably set the switch off causing the fuel pump not to work. You have to push a button on a small relay with a shock sensor on it and it engages the pump again.

Kicking your J30 is not going to do anything except dent the panels.