I understand how the car operates as far as starting. The ECU kicks on, the CKP sends a signal to the fuel pump and engine RPM is established for timing of the injectors and spark as the starter motor spins the flywheel.



My car always takes 5 cranks to start. Regardless if I have just turned it off or if the car has been sitting for a week, it's 5 eh's and a vroom. Occasionally, there's 5 eh's and if I release the starter at that time, the engine does not start and it takes 5 more eh's to start it.

I'd like to know why the starter makes the eh-eh-eh-eh-eh vrooom sound regardless of anything. Some cars start right up after they've been primed by blipping the starter. Some cars make no eh noise when starting. My car will never start unless there's been 5 eh's and a vroom.

 

It's the amount of Pixie Dust in the sprocket fluid. As long as your car always starts, consider yourself lucky!

I had a truck that started *instantly* when you hit the key. It had a huge, low compression motor with a carb. that probably leaked gas so there was always some waiting to burn.

As long as there is sufficient gas, air, and spark, and your computer is ready, your car will start. It takes 5 turns of the engine to get yours ready. Mine is pretty reliable at 4 or 5 cranks also, which is how I knew my last (5 year-old Optima) battery was getting ready to need a replacement: it took 6 or more turns to start.

 

ok, so what's the "eh" noise and why do some motors make it while other's don't?

 

that is a great question, i've always wondered the same thing! my car takes 3 cranks but my friend's '97 civic takes 5-6 cranks, but it ran like new so there mustn't be any threat.

 

Same here. I've always worried why my car seems to take a couple times to crank, however, my girlfriends corolla is almost instant.... I'm so used to the tib that when I have to drive her car I crank it while the car has already turned on doh.gif

 

to be honest i never paid attention to mine unless it does not start...lol

 

Never counted but it does seem each car has a distinct sound starting. I agree though if the car starts go with it.

 

The noise made by a high torque starter on a high compression four cylinder is a characteristic sound (coughing chipmunks eh eh eh eh eh brrrrrr). Just like the noise made by a low torque starter on a low compression big displacement V8 is a characteristic sound (rrrRRRrrrrrRRRrrrrRRRrrrrRRRrVROOOOMM!!). The compression requires a higher torque starter and the displacement is also a part of it. Plus the intake and exhaust piping.

 

wow, thank you stocker.

 

lol, stocker was messing with you the second time, it's definitely pixie dust, lol