Car developing starting problem

123,000 MILES
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MUDPUPPY1756
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Over the last year and a half, my car has once stalled and twice failed to start.
The stall happened when I was rolling up to a stop sign. The car just went off - no coughing, no nothing - just went off. Restarted just fine - cold, winter day, partly warm car.
The first time it wouldn't start: warm, dry summer day, cold car (sat 8 hours), no noise whatsoever when I turned the key - no cranking, no clicking, nothing. The dash lights did come on, so I had battery. I opened the hood, looked around, closed the hood, wiggled the PRNDL to see if that would do anything. After I sat there for a minute or two, it started normally.
The second time was the same thing, only it was just today - winter, snowy, not completely cold car (sat 1 hour). Same thing happened - tried to start it 5 or 6 times with no noise but still had battery access - lights/dash lights, etc. Opened hood and closed it (saw nothing odd), shifted, locked and unlocked steering wheel, generally fiddled. A minute or two later, started right up.
Repair shop says they can't do anything unless it stays not starting, but I'd like some sense of what to consider, such as fuel pump safety switch, park safety switch, etc.
Jan 13, 2012 at 5:29 PM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
Ignition switch or possibly poor connections at battery or starter.
Jan 13, 2012 at 5:55 PM
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