Both Cars Broke Down Today

[tw]

Originally Posted by monster

Today it failed to start the first time twice -

The Car Guys often ask this question. And the answer is too often, "Yes". Is the check engine light on?

[Beest]

Originally Posted by tw

The Car Guys often ask this question. And the answer is too often, "Yes". Is the check engine light on?

No,

this stuff was 2 bottles for $4


so I chucked one in , it's basically Isopropyl (Rubbing) alcohol I think.
I believe the water dissolves in the IPA which can the run through and burn off. So if it's in the filter it should pick it up and as we work through the tank.

Plugs, wires, battery and alternator are new.

Working the throttle seems to fix it. likes it's stuck.
In modern vehicles is there a separate line for the choke, or is it all done with one throttle.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Beest

In modern vehicles is there a separate line for the choke, or is it all done with one throttle.

A choke was how to throw massive amounts of gasoline into an engine that would otherwise not start. A 1930 technology called fuel injection made that and so many other functions all obsolete.

Your injection measures the entering air. Views other parameters. Then spits in the best amount of gasoline required. In a previous discussion (maybe April 2010) with Cloud, one simple control system was perverted so that idle would fail intermittently. Your subjective summary describes failure in the same system. But you have no reason to believe your system failure is a same part.

Problems reported by the check engine light are always easy to find and fix. Your's is apparently more complex because even the check engine diagnostics do not see it.

Engine performs differently when the throttle is fully open verses when closed. Different parameters and sensors cause different amounts of fuel to be spit into the engine. Apparently your intermittent involves sensors that are significant at idle and not significant when the throttle is more open. Without check engine codes, the number of suspects increases drastically.

Sometimes a service bulletin will define this failure. A previous vehicle had the same problems that the check engine diagnostic did not see. Only better mechanics read and learn from these. Some libraries also provide access to them (online) for all manufacturers.

Possible is a significant parameter stored in the computer. And therefore would be identified by a better mechanic or a smarter computer diagnostic. Some dealers may temporarily install a computer to your diagnostic port so that relevant parameters can be collected when the car will not start. Then a human can see what the check engine diagnostic did not.

Information posted that provided useful replies is that it starts when the throttle is not in idle. Expand on that concept to define specifically what is done to make the engine start. Turn a subjective post into something more quantitative. Playing around with the throttle says almost nothing. Details of what is 'played with' will go a long way to isolating an intermittent to a computer subsystem or sensor.

Also relevant are other details such as the angle of the car everytime it does not start? Pointed up hill, downhill, tilted left of right, etc. Engine overnight cold. Or just partially cool? Attitude of the neighbor's cat? How far to the nearest prankster's house?

Biggest reason for no solution is insufficient information and too much information that is only subjective.

Water in gasoline was way down the list among the least likely suspects along with that cat.