So about a month ago I noticed it was taking several attempts to get my car to start, but it would start eventually. I took it to my mechanic and we decided to replace the battery at that time as it was 3 years old and AAA battery. I brought the car home and it continued to be difficult to start, so I took it back and it was diagnosed as needing a new fuel pump which I put in a few days ago. The problem still has not resolved and it is taking multiple attempts to get the car to start, but once it does it runs beautifully . If I drive the car for some length of time and then shut it off again it will start with one try the next time. It seems like it's the first start of the day that causes the most problems or after sitting for some time. I also noticed my radio CD player died out and the heat is blowing cold air so I'm not sure if there's any relationship with that and replacing the fuel pump didn't change any of that. I am not sure if this is worth pursuing further or if I should just get a new car. At the time they replace the fuel pump I asked my mechanic if I should replace the starter as well, and he said that wasn't necessary. I've been going to the same mechanic for years and he's never ripped me off so I'm not worried about that. Can anyone shed some light on why it is taking multiple attempts to start my car? I am petrified I will break down somewhere far away from home. I'm not sure if this problem is worth fixing. There are only 81,000 miles on the car. Thank you for any help
Multiple attempts to start Wrangler
- Thread starter marw
- Start date
Have you checked to see if there might be any CEL's? It could possibly be the cam or crank sensor.
When you experience an issue what exactly happens? Dash lights illuminate, engine cranks, but doesn't start?
The engine won't kick in until the third of fourth key turn. The engine cranks, but doesn't kick in. Dash lights illuminate normally. Once it starts and drives, it is quiet with no engine noise whatsoever and has excellent pickup
Another common electrical problem is bad grounds and to start would be the Neg battery clamp. Try putting a good HD battery clamp and find ll the grounds and clean them. I also ran a ground from the Neg clamp to the alternator case, you can never have to many grounds.
Is the JK a Auto or Manual trans? If Auto have you tried starting it in neutral when you know you'll have to try 4-5 times?
I'm not familiar with the 3.8L fuel system but it sounds like you may be bleeding off pressure at the fuel rail. That would explain the multiple crank attempts to build it back sufficient to fire a cylinder. It would also explain why the engine fires after it has been driven recently. Possibly even why the fuel pump was a diagnosis as the issue.
There should be a Schrader test port on or near the rail you can check with a gauge or tester from your local auto parts store. Check before you attempt a start in the morning and after it successfully fires. See if there is correlation between the gauge pressure and your success/failure at starting...
I'll have to do a bit a research to see what style of system is run on this engine - mechanical returnless, electronic returnless, etc...
Looks like testing the pressure is a bit more difficult on this engine (no dedicated test port) but here is some helpful info on the process:
https://www.justanswer.com/jeep/9epoz-wrangler-4x2-08-wrangler-3-8-obvious-fuel-starvation.html
Maybe on your next cold start try turning the key to on and let the pump build pressure before actually trying to crank it. Leave it for 10s or so... If that works you may have a faulty check valve or regulator - neither of which I am familiar with on this application, but your situation isn't uncommon in the auto world.
https://www.justanswer.com/jeep/9epoz-wrangler-4x2-08-wrangler-3-8-obvious-fuel-starvation.html
Maybe on your next cold start try turning the key to on and let the pump build pressure before actually trying to crank it. Leave it for 10s or so... If that works you may have a faulty check valve or regulator - neither of which I am familiar with on this application, but your situation isn't uncommon in the auto world.
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