2 hard starts now.. wtf?

[OoTLink]

Yeehaw! Another one of those "WTF?" topics that should go into the problems thread, but it's really a weird one, k..

Twice now, I've fired up the 300 where.. oddly enough, it wasn't as quick as it usually is to start! Having to deal with our other car which regularly does that sorta thing (I need to fix the idle valve :P), I instinctually keep at it until it starts, which really is about as quick as you'd notice, err "WTF?! longer? *VROOM!*!"

And it idles as it should, nothing high or nothing, in fact it drops down to 600 or so immediately, unlike a normal startup where it'd come down from 900 or so....

OKAY. The 2nd time I almost scared myself into thinking I hydrolocked the car when I was washing it (maybe the air box isn't properly sealed and I got water into the engine bay while I was washing?) I doubt this, seriously, as the first time it happened I was at target about to leave, though I'm pretty sure I washed the car earlier that day, so long ago I can barely remember!

Any ideas? I think it did it once more before that, but I actually let off before the engine started and it clunked at me But the next try it fired up okay! Always thought that was just me that once.

Other odd thing that might be slightly related? Every now and then the first start of the day I hear a noise that sounds an awful lot like a plastic garbage can falling over or something, it's hard to describe, not a scraping sound or anything - I've always ruled it out as the AC compressor kicking in, however it's loud and everyone notices it. It's not instant either, happens maybe 10-15 seconds after I start the car? Yeah I'm still pretty sure it's the condenser but you NEVER hear that afterwards, not while running or anything.

Okay so there's my questions, I guess the only obvious answer is to take it to the dealer and have them check it out (which requires overnight stay), just annoying because I don't really have the ability to do that right now It'd be nice to know what the @#*%& happened.

[Kitojapa]

Originally Posted by OoTLink

Yeehaw! Another one of those "WTF?" topics that should go into the problems thread, but it's really a weird one, k..

Twice now, I've fired up the 300 where.. oddly enough, it wasn't as quick as it usually is to start! Having to deal with our other car which regularly does that sorta thing (I need to fix the idle valve :P), I instinctually keep at it until it starts, which really is about as quick as you'd notice, err "WTF?! longer? *VROOM!*!"

And it idles as it should, nothing high or nothing, in fact it drops down to 600 or so immediately, unlike a normal startup where it'd come down from 900 or so....

OKAY. The 2nd time I almost scared myself into thinking I hydrolocked the car when I was washing it (maybe the air box isn't properly sealed and I got water into the engine bay while I was washing?) I doubt this, seriously, as the first time it happened I was at target about to leave, though I'm pretty sure I washed the car earlier that day, so long ago I can barely remember!

Any ideas? I think it did it once more before that, but I actually let off before the engine started and it clunked at me But the next try it fired up okay! Always thought that was just me that once.

Other odd thing that might be slightly related? Every now and then the first start of the day I hear a noise that sounds an awful lot like a plastic garbage can falling over or something, it's hard to describe, not a scraping sound or anything - I've always ruled it out as the AC compressor kicking in, however it's loud and everyone notices it. It's not instant either, happens maybe 10-15 seconds after I start the car? Yeah I'm still pretty sure it's the condenser but you NEVER hear that afterwards, not while running or anything.

Okay so there's my questions, I guess the only obvious answer is to take it to the dealer and have them check it out (which requires overnight stay), just annoying because I don't really have the ability to do that right now It'd be nice to know what the @#*%& happened.

[Kitojapa]

Hi. I also have a 300C that is very hard to start, at times. It's pretty embarrassing! We just spent 250 on a tune-up and its still no better. If you ever find out what the problem is or hopefully was, could you drop me a line? I would much appreciate it. Other than this problem, the car is awesome! Oh, by the way, ours is a 2005 with 25000 miles. Thanks again and good luck.

[C-Man]

Thre's a TSB to update the PCM for long crank times on hot starts for certain 2005's. Here's the link

[OoTLink]

Okay, I'll look into that, but my 300c was built on February 11, 2006 Way outta the dates suggested!

It does have evic 4.07 however, and it's only happened twice (and they were quick delays) *shrug* I'm just not sure whether an occasional hard start is something to be worried about. (it doesn't need any coaxing, just takes a bit longer than it normally would have). *shrug*

[Ozymandyaz]

Originally Posted by OoTLink

Okay, I'll look into that, but my 300c was built on February 11, 2006 Way outta the dates suggested!

It does have evic 4.07 however, and it's only happened twice (and they were quick delays) *shrug* I'm just not sure whether an occasional hard start is something to be worried about. (it doesn't need any coaxing, just takes a bit longer than it normally would have). *shrug*

I have the same problem... Not often, but every few weeks it will have one bad start. I've learned that I can either keep the key turned, and it will start eventually after a second or two, or if I give a tiny bit of gas it will roar to life ...

I do not have the "plastic garbage can" sound, but will keep a listen for it. My car is also 4.07 and built Feb of 06.

[SI300]

Mine has been driving me nuts for about a month and a half. On cold starts it has a hard time starting. But only on the first try. The second one is good to go. But so annoying. I made an appointment today with the dealer - Im scheduled for next Thursday. I had the same problem last year for about two weeks. I sent it in to the dealers - they told me nothing worng with it. Then it just went away. Let's see what they tell me this time.