• NAXJA is having its 18th annual March Membership Drive!!!
    Everyone who joins or renews during March will be entered into a drawing!
    More Information - Join/Renew
  • Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

Hard start caused by coolant temp sensor?

smallredxj

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Greensboro NC
Hey guys. Earlier today my Jeep started having rough starts. It will crank for about 10 seconds and then "sputter" to life. It idles rough for about 5 seconds and then it's fine. I can hear the fuel pump prime so I'm guessing it's not that- although I have not tested the check valve/ fuel pressure yet. I also know a dirty IAC sensor can cause this- but mine looked okay after cleaning. My main question is could this be caused by a bad coolant temp sensor? Mine went bad about a week ago and the Jeep has been starting fine until now. If it's not any of these things- what else could it possibly be? Thanks for the help.
 
In order to help you need to provide more info. What year model, transmission, and engine is it? When the problem happens, is the engine warm, has it been started recently or is it cold?
 
I would say that it certainly could cause that. I had a car a while back that had the same condition and it was all due to the coolant temp sensor. If the ecm doesn't see the coolant temp, then it will assume the worst and go as rich as possible to make sure that it has enough fuel to start. I'd bet that it's also killing your gas mileage.
 
I would say that it certainly could cause that. I had a car a while back that had the same condition and it was all due to the coolant temp sensor. If the ecm doesn't see the coolant temp, then it will assume the worst and go as rich as possible to make sure that it has enough fuel to start. I'd bet that it's also killing your gas mileage.

That's what I was thinking- the temp sensors failure put it in limp mode.
 
Well I hung it up for tonight but after testing stuff a little more I think I may not be getting spark- or it's at least intermittent. The truck reeks of gas so I know I'm getting fuel- not to mention I tested the pressure, however it's still a b***h to start. I can crank for 10-12 seconds and get nothing. I know for sure I'm changing coolant temp sensors, and my IAC because it was dirty as crap but what else should I be looking at? Maybe my CPS? I'll test for spark tomorrow I just ended up running out of daylight. I'm pretty stumped so help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I had a buddy with a '96. Was running like crap so he tuned it up. New wires, plugs, cap, rotor, and fuel filter. No change. Drove him nuts until he figured out it was the temp sensor in the thermostat housing.
 
Back
Top