My car cranks a little longer in the morning

80,400 MILES
Avatar
NICOLE MARIE FERGESTROM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My car cranks a little longer in the morning unless I turn the key to on first. The cranking sounds normal. After recent driving, the car actually starts with one or two cranks, but some mornings, the car needs three to five cranks to start. This morning, I turned the car to on for a couple seconds and then to start and it started immediately. My dad says this is normal for a car to need to crank a little more in the morning, but I am not sure. What could be the problem?
Feb 20, 2017 at 2:16 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,381 POSTS
Try this test. Get in turn the key "on", not to start, count to five slowly. Turn the key off. Now try to start the car. If it starts up real quick it is normal. What happens is that the fuel pressure bleeds off overnight and it takes a couple seconds for the pump to prime the system. Because the pressure bleeds off there can be some air that has to purge through the injectors before it starts. Now during "normal driving" the fuel pressure does not bleed off and the car starts almost instantly.

This guide should help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting
Mar 12, 2021 at 1:39 AM
Avatar
NICOLE MARIE FERGESTROM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks so much! I will try that later today and see what happens.
Mar 12, 2021 at 1:39 AM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,381 POSTS
Forgot to mention that if your in a cold area it can also make it a bit more obvious because the battery being cold and the oil being cold make the engine turn over a bit slower.
Mar 12, 2021 at 1:39 AM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle