Starting issues

Hi,

The idea that it starts again after it sits leads me to believe it is related to the crankshaft position sensor. When they start to go bad, heat has an adverse effect on them.

First, take a look through this link and let me know if it seems to mirror what you experience:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

What will happen is if the sensor is bad, you will lose spark to the spark plugs and it won't run. If you want, check for spark when it will not start. Here is a link that shows how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

If there is no spark, the sensor is my first suspect. If you determine it is bad, here is a link that shows in general how one is replaced:

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

If you look at the two pics below, they are the directions specific to your vehicle for replacement. The sensor will be located next to the oil filter.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Actually I'm also thinking fuel pump. What happens is like with any other older DC motor, the motor in a fuel pump can lose strength as it heats up. It's become work out enough that it's losing so much pressure that the car can't start. But I bet, if you sprayed done starting fluid in the intake when it was acting up, it would start and maybe even continue running. This is because it takes less pressure to run the car than it does to start it.

With the key on and engine off it should have 41-47 psi fuel pressure at the schrader valve on the fuel rail.

Here's our guide on how to test fuel pressure on your own:

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

Check the pressure and let us know what you find. We'll go from there.

Harry