Hard starting and accelerator pedal not working properly

Tiny
JESSICA LASHAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 ISUZU TROOPER
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
Okay, so I bought the vehicle listed above almost a month ago and it ran/started fine during the test drive (seemed a little loud) and didn't seem to have any problems other then it just seemed to drive "rough". That was until about a week later when I went to leave one day and it didn't want to start. I had to keep cranking it before it finally cranked over. It had only gotten worst since then, I have figured out that if I pump the gas pedal right before trying to start it. That it helps it start faster but I can always smell gas bad by the time it does start. The only way I can describe it is, it's like it wants to start but when it tried to it's just not getting that "spark" that it needs to actually connect and fire up. Sometime first you'll hear a like clicking sound (metal 2 metal kind of) followed by the cranking of the motor sound. Well now, the gas pedal decides sometime that it just doesn't want to work, like at all! I went to leave this morning and I got it started went to back up and nothing. It's like i'm pushing on a display car pedal or something. There is no sound change in the motor, the RPM hand does nothing and the vehicle just goes in "idle" mode or coasts for me as much as it can. I'm not sure if the 2 are connected or not but i'm assuming so and I can't find anything online to give me a solid answer. I don't have a ton of money to just keep guessing and fixing this and that so any solid advise would be appreciated. Thanks!
Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 8:31 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Hello. There are a number of things that could be causing issues here. I would suspect that the computer has detected some sort of fault somewhere and has 1 or more trouble codes that'll shed light on what's going on. Here's a general guide on retrieving those trouble codes. If you don't have a scanner, I suspect the neighborhood or family gearhead would let you borrow theirs. Otherwise, as suggested in the guide, they start around $35.00 for decent quality ones on Amazon. Your local car parts shop has them too, but they'll be at least $50.00 there.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Just to add, I attached a guide for starting but the fact you said the RPM gauge does not move suggests to me the crank sensor may not be working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

If you smell fuel, then you should have fuel pressure but needs to be confirmed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I attached a wiring diagram of the system as well for you to view for testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Roy

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Saturday, May 8th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Hello again. As Roy suggested, the Crankshaft Position Sensor is a strong possibility here. Most likely that scanner would give a code relating to that part though. That's why I suggested the scanner. It can help eliminate other avenues pretty easily
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Monday, May 10th, 2021 AT 3:50 AM

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