I have a 2004 6MT coupe. The last couple of days the car has been acting up whenever I go to start it. I turn the key and everything powers up, but the car doesn't immediately turn over.... I have to turn the key again. Then, this morning, I drove the car about 2miles, stopped for coffee and when I went to restart it, the damn thing wouldn't turn over. Again, everything powered up, but no turnover. I waited a couple of min. and it started up.
Suggestions? Any help would be appreciated, since I am supposed to move to Dallas (fromr VA) and will be driving.

 

When you power the car do you hear the fuel pump engaging?

 

^^
+1

1. Check to see if you hear the fuel pump
2. Check to see if you hear the throttle body open and close
3. Check your plugs

Do you have throttle response while you start the car? Try turning it over with the pedal all the way to the floor. This won't start the car, but it will clear any excess fuel in the exhaust.

 

^Agreed.

 

When you say it doesn't turn over do you mean that it does NOT crank at all? or it cranks but does not start up?

If it doesn't crank...starter may be bad (dead spot)....

 

as mentioned, there are also a few other things u can check for connectivity and wear and tear, spark plugs, coils, coil wires, starter, fuel pump, fuel filter...

what maintenance and when have u done so far?

 

it doesn't crank at all. I can hear a click but the engine even attempt to crank.

 

If you hear a click but the motor doesn't crank I would suspect the starter. I doubt it is the battery, as it sounds like if you fiddle with it it will start up eventually.

The 'click' that you hear is most likely the click of the solenoid that drives the starter. The 'click' confirms that the ignition switch and wiring is OK. Next time it gives you problems throw the car in N and move it bac 6-12" and try to start it again. If the starter has a 'dead spot' in it like mentioned above this will get you around it.

 

Also a light tap with a tire iron gets a bad starter to cooperate for the short term.

 

I've seen the ignition switch go on these cars...take it to the dealer if it's under warranty.

 

crank sensor could be bad...i had it happen on another car, it would crank but not start and all the electrical would turn on

 

It will still crank with the crank angle sensor being bad. According to the service manual, it will still run with a bad crank angle sensor (but in batch injector firing mode, not sequential).

 

then its the starter!!! ...you can try knocking it around to get it started....