Thread: Starts, runs fine for a week, then won't start for 5 minutes, then starts and runs...

2002 3.8 non super charged, all stock, 94,000 miles.

The last 9 months or so been having an intermittant prob with the car dying then not wanting to restart until you wait a few minutes. Then it would run fine for a week, a month or more, then act up again. During the last month, it has become more frequent, most often not dying while driving but rather just not starting. Engine cranks though. Now it's happening a few times a week, or like today, twice in one day.

Today the problem lasted longer than 5 minutes for the daughter so I got there in about 20 minutes.

Hooked up an inline spark tester and there was no spark.

Next, I tested the wires going to the Ignition Control Module to see if it was getting power and ground, and yes, 12+ volts each wire.

Wife was ready to give daughter a ride and I said to try and start one last time, and it did. The only thing of note is that the tach didn't work and the traction control was off and couldn't be turned on. She drove to class then drove home afterward. I drove the car tonight and it started fine and the tack works and the traction control works.

Fuel filter newer, battery newer, battery connections double checked.

A few times months ago, the engine wouldn't crank after the car died. That has not been a problem recently.

Anyone have any ideas? Bad ICU or bad Crank sensor (though I don't know what the crank sensor would have to do with the traction control). Would a bad crank sensor cause the tach not to work even though the engine is running fine??

I'm thinking ICU......???

Question on ICU and/or crank sensor - can these just be installed without doing something special like making the engine recognize the new unit or something? I put a new Duralast ICU in a few weeks ago and the car had an immediate misfire every few seconds so I took the Duralast out and reinstalled the OEM ICU and it ran fine.

Does anyone know if you have to do something special to get the car to recognized a new crank sensor or ICU?

I may go to U-Pull-It used car salvage and pull an ICU to try if they can be dropped in and if the place doesn't charge too much for it. If the problem surfaces again, then crank sensor.

This is all contingent upon being able to drop in these parts with no special "programming/setup" needed. ??

Your timing may be off. The timing belt in my Tiburon was stretched and it would randomly die and not want to start. Just something you might check out as its probably around time to replace anyway.