Engine not starting
 

This morning I had a starting issue. I tried roughly 10x and the engine wouldn't turn over. I could hear the starter motor cranking the engine but it wouldn't turn over. Damn it was embarrassing.

I don't think it's a battery issue because I just replaced it with an optima battery.
I finally got the engine to start by turning the key and pressing the gas pedal.

On a side note. Now that this has happened. I'm listening to the engine and it sounds like faint pop corn noises.

EDIT

just got the car back, dealership can't replicate the problem WTF!?

sorry to hear. Any codes? Can you record the "pop corn" noise for us to hear?

Possibility of a misfire

no codes and the pop corn sound went away. I just dropped it off at the dealer and i'll be getting it this afternoon

not a missfire, did not throw a code

On a barely related note, my 2013 FR-S cranks much slower than any other car I've owned, and always has. Starts no problem, even in subzero (F) temps, but it's weird hearing it go "vra..vra..vra...vra...vroooooom" instead of "vra.vra.vra.vra.voooom", if that makes sense. Anyone else notice the same thing?

Barry

your list of mods if any would help with a diagnosis.

Mods - stock

edit -

ok dealership calls me, tells me nothing is wrong with the car and they couldn't replicate the issue.... I'm really starting to doubt the reliability of this engine

I'm sort of confused. You said you "heard the starter motor cranking but the engine wouldn't turn over". If the starter motor is cranking but the engine wouldn't turn over, that would indicate that the starter is not engaging the flywheel or the flywheel has a tooth missing.

Did you mean that the engine would crank over but not fire .. ??

Even though your battery is new, maybe it isn't getting re-charged by the alternator....?? Here is a simple test:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm


humfrz

Sounds like the engine was "flooded" - or whatever the equivalent for fuel injected cars is. Classically, the solution for starting a flooded engine (with a carburetor) was to crank it with the gas pedal held to the floor - seems counter-intuitive, but it works by holding the throttle air intake wide open. Symptom and solution both match.

what could cause our cars cylinders to be flooded?

OK i meant to say it cranked and cranked but didn't fire up

"Flooding" is usually caused by too much fuel and not enough air. Or, the plugs don't fire.

OK, cranked but didn't fire. I'd give it a second chance ...... maybe the ECU was having a bad day ..... :(


humfrz

that doesn't damage our spark plugs right? because everyone knows how much of a pain in the ass they are

If enough fuel was able to enter it could foul the plugs yes. I find this highly unlikely to be whats going on though.

I don't see much mystery here. Circumstantial yes but may be something as simple as a not quite tight enough cable or slightly dirty connection.