Need some brain storming for troubleshooting a high mileage Q...

[redmanfx]

The Q is a 94 and has 250,000 on it. Here's the problem. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't. When it does start the car runs fine and has no problems, it doesn't stall or idle strange, doesn't matter if it's hot or not and no known similar instances of it not starting. It just won't start on occassion. Besides the battery terminals not make good contact, what could cause this problem? You could turn the car off when going to the store and it'll start right up, but get home and want to take off again, it won't start. Two hours later it starts!!

Cam Sensor?Coil?

Sounds like a battery connection to me, but I'm not sure. I haven't seen the car yet.

[AZhitman]

Hey Red -

I'd need a better definitiion of "won't start".

Click? R-R-R-R-R-R? Nothing? That'd help a ton.

[3Q Jay]

assuming nothing happens when you turn the key (idiot lites on, don't go dim) I'd start with the blue starter relay.

[redmanfx]

I guess that would help huh?! It sounds like it wants to start but it's almost like it won't fire. I'll have to ask agian about any lights on the dash. If anyone has had an old 3.8L Buick that had the cam sensor magnet problem then you'd know what I mean. The Magnet moved and once hot the car wouldn't start if turned off until two hours later. The difference hear is that the Q doesn't have to be hot and it doesn't always happen.

[elwesso]

is it flooding.. have to tried pressing the gas down?

[Rex]

Does the fuel pump "prime" on the non-starting occassions? Loose connections or a going bad FPCU could cause this.

[superuber]

I'm tellin' ya Red these things are incredible!Don't believe me, just read the testimonials! We swear by them, or is it at them?

[96Qowner]

I say it's something electronic - harness, connector, etc. - the FPCU would sure qualify. I doubt it's battery related. No mention of a gas smell? I'd look into fuel delivery first.

I don't turn a lot of wrenches but I have plenty of brainstorms.

[superuber]

Hey red, we thought we would help you out. We rolled the RED dieand I hate to say it came up cam/crank sensor! So do what you will with that nugget of info.
Modified by superuber at 4:47 PM 12/15/2006

[Q451990]

So the starter is working, but it just won't fire? I'm leaning toward a FPCU, fuel pump relay, etc...

[redmanfx]

I'm tellin' ya Red these things are incredible!Don't believe me, just read the testimonials! We swear by them, or is it at them?

LOL

[bmwkiller]

Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't.

When it doesn't, hold the pedal all the way to the floor and crank it for 10-12 seconds. See if that does anything.

[CrimsonQ]

probably not relevant, but the only time I had an issue like that with a vehicle, it was the starter getting heat soaked. But that was in a LS1 converted S-10, so heat was an issue.

good luck man