I have a 2001 Nissan maxima. While I crank the car I have to press the gas hard for it stay on. After that it’s fine. Does anybody know what’s wrong with it?
Hard starting can be caused by old spark plugs or low fuel pressure.
The fuel supply has a check valve to keep some fuel pressure when you shut the car off.
If that valve isn’t holding then the engine will stumble when you’re cranking until the pressure builds back up.
To check for this problem turn the key to the run position, but don’t start.
Wait a few seconds, turn the key to off. This makes the fuel pump run a bit.
Repeat this a couple of times then try to start.
If it fires right up then you know it’s not holding fuel pressure.
If holding the accelerator down enables the engine to start the problem might be a sticking IAC (idle air control valve).
If you’re literally holding the gas pedal to the floor, this usually shuts off the fuel injectors to allow a flooded engine to clear. Could be leaking fuel injector(s) or a leaking fuel pressure regulator. If you pull the vacuum tube off the fuel pressure regulator and see liquid gas, there’s the problem.
If it cranks ok, but won’t catch & run straight away unless you hold the gas pedal to the floor during cranking, as insightful says above, that sounds like the engine is flooded. Does this seem to happen more or the symptom worse when the engine is warm than the first start of the day?
If it seems to crank and start up ok, but you need to hold the gas pedal down once it starts, otherwise it stalls, that’s either that the function that is supposed to control idle rpm is failing, or there’s some problem with the engine that only crops up right after starting. Unusually lean mixtures (not enough gas or too much air) can do this on cold starts, but the symptom will often improve as the engine warms.
As soon as it cranks I have to press the gas so it doesn’t cut it off but I don’t have to floor it or hold it down just press it and it squeals after its cranked. It stops squealing after driving for a few minutes.
As soon as it cranks I have to press the gas so it doesn’t cut it off but I don’t have to floor it or hold it down just press it and it squeals after its cranked. It stops squealing after driving for a few minutes. When I’m driving I don’t know if sometimes I’m not pressing the accelerator hard enough but the car feels like its not accelerating but it doesn’t happen all the time and it only feels like that for a few seconds.
Well, have you cleaned or replaced the idle air control valve?
As for the squealing, try a new serpentine belt.
Not yet I plan on getting that done this week. the service engine light is also on. I just wanna be sure it’s not anything too serious before I put a whole lot of money into fixing these issues.
[quote=“Taneasha, post:9, topic:93825, full:true”]
Not yet I plan on getting that done this week. the service engine light is also on. I just wanna be sure it’s not anything too serious before I put a whole lot of money into fixing these issues.
[/quote]This is kind of important information. Get the code(s) by having the car scanned at your local auto parts store and report back with the code(s).