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tc randomly doesnt start

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Old 01-03-2010, 05:59 PM
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Default tc randomly doesnt start

hello everyone

im having an issue that literally makes no sense.

i have an 06 manual tc.

not too long ago, i got a clutch job done. my stock one was finally dead. got it replaced, the car wouldnt start. turned out i had to re-key the ecu with that paperclip trick, as i have an ecu from another tc. i was supercharged back in the day and went back to stock.

im driving a few weeks ago, and the engine just shuts off. i noticed the starter was slow so i got a new battery. i re-keyed it twice to no avail. i was ready to give up on it after an hour or so, unable to see a problem. im about to leave with my friend, i crank it one more time, it starts up perfectly.

it runs for the whole next day. day after that, doesnt start again.

its been about two weeks now. ive read trouble codes and they point to all the spark plugs. i check out my crank position sensor, which had a little damage. i get it repaired, reinstall it, and the car starts right up. it runs for ten minutes while i put my tools away. i turn the car off.

i crank again a few minutes later to drive it, and it doesnt start.

i might lose my mind here. there is nothing unplugged, out of place, no fuses blown, nothin.
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Old 01-03-2010, 11:30 PM
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check for a loose battery connection.
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Old 01-04-2010, 12:15 AM
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still cranks just fine. ill double check anyway where i can. im gonna pick up a new crank position sensor anyway tomorrow as a precaution
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Old 01-04-2010, 12:39 AM
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try changing spark plugs, if your even near needing it. I read one guy(turbod though) that his were so fouled, wouldn't start...
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Old 01-04-2010, 12:48 AM
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does it only stall at idle if so possible dirty throttle plate. does your engine light stay on after car shuts off?
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Old 01-04-2010, 02:13 AM
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yeah check if you got a loose battery connection..i greased the tips of the battery too much and my car would do the same thing because i guess the grease was thick
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Old 01-04-2010, 02:30 AM
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fuel pump on it's way out?
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:24 AM
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Originally Posted by ESEMRFOZZ13
fuel pump on it's way out?
it could be i suppose but id think it would throw a code for it... but when it does turn on it seems to run alright... itll be something ill have to look into as well
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:24 AM
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Originally Posted by frankiietc
yeah check if you got a loose battery connection..i greased the tips of the battery too much and my car would do the same thing because i guess the grease was thick
ok, ill try cleaning the terminals shortly and see if it helps! theres no grease on them though
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:26 AM
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Originally Posted by cmcpride
does it only stall at idle if so possible dirty throttle plate. does your engine light stay on after car shuts off?
it doesnt start up at all. it stalled out just that once and ive barely driven it since. the throttle plate ive cleaned a few times since i was supercharged before, i kept an eye on it.

engine light staying on? like the check engine light? i dont even know if its really on or not haha seems i have to have the car running for me to see the light on. or a scanguage, which isnt showing me any codes at the moment.
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 3min3m2
try changing spark plugs, if your even near needing it. I read one guy(turbod though) that his were so fouled, wouldn't start...
this is also something ill be looking into.. though when it does turn on, it runs alright. though i think im about due for new plugs anyway haha
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:52 AM
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any codes stored
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:55 AM
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i had only seen codes before for spark plugs. all of them, at once. that usually points to something thats required for spark plugs to work.. like a sensor
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Old 01-06-2010, 04:58 PM
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I had this same exact thing after my clutch was replaced. Apparently the mechanic did not clean the ground cable from the battery to the tranny. The connection on the tranny was dirty and did not provide a GOOD connection to the battery for starting and charging. I'll bet thats it.
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Old 01-06-2010, 11:40 PM
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yeah check the ground wires from the battery make sure they are all tight
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Old 01-07-2010, 03:02 AM
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If a sensor is bad you will have codes, if you have a loose connection you will have codes. you said that the computer has been swap, check the connections there also.
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Old 01-07-2010, 03:57 PM
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ill look up where all the grounds are and inspect them. thats a good thing to check indeed

i swapped a camshaft sensor and crank sensor with a friend and the car started right up consistently so i ordered them from checker. ill have them this morning. did spark plugs last night just for fun. its judgement day haha

i feel like my car is just messing with me. especially if this doesnt end up working!

Last edited by hunterUnknown; 01-07-2010 at 04:03 PM.
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Old 01-07-2010, 05:51 PM
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ok guys, it didnt work. VERY INCONSISTENT.

im checking the repair manual for where any grounds are. battery ground is definitely there... looking for more.
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Old 01-08-2010, 12:45 AM
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intriguing...What all have you modified on the car remotely recently, might want to stop there...
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Old 01-08-2010, 02:10 AM
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nothing, the car hasnt been modified in around a year now. i converted back to stock around december of 2008..

i really dont get it. im having a mechanic run some tests on the car tomorrow and see where the problem is. it must be a short somewhere or something. maybe some damaged wire i cant see
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