Sometimes cars can be slow to start, especially in the winter. This is a very common occurrence in colder weather, and there is nothing wrong with your vehicle.
However, if your car takes longer than 5-10 seconds to start (or if the weather isn’t cold, to begin with), you may have a problem.
This article will help you determine why your car is taking longer to start.
15 Reasons Why Car Taking Longer to Start
Let us show you what could be causing the engine hard start.
1. Old Fuel Filter
This problem may arise after the car has been sitting for an extended period of time. An older fuel filter won’t allow pressure to build up to supply fuel to the engine in some cases.
How do I fix it?
Change your fuel filter. Fuel filters should be changed every 80,000 to 120,000 miles, though they can be replaced sooner. After you change a fuel filter, make sure you add a fuel system cleaner to your next full tank of gas.
How much will it cost?
The fuel filter itself can cost anywhere from $6 to $110. There are no specialized tools required to perform the replacement, and it’s a relatively straightforward process that most people can do themselves.
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2. Weak Fuel Pump
Older fuel pumps can still pump fuel, but it will take much longer. This is due to the lack of fuel pressure. Usually, starting a car with a weak fuel pump may take several cranks or turns of the key.
How do I fix it?
Replace the fuel pump, but not before testing to make sure that the fuel pump is actually the problem. To do this, turn the key to the ‘run’ position but don’t crank the engine. Leave the key in this position for 10 seconds, then turn it the rest of the way for ten seconds. Repeat this a few times before starting the engine.
If this stops the problem, your fuel lines are likely losing pressure. However, if this happens after the car has been sitting for a long time, it may be an issue with the drain back valve not seated fully, causing the fuel lines to depressurize. Making sure that the problem you’re having can be traced back to your fuel pump is key to solving the problem.
How much will it cost?
The cost of diagnosing a fuel pump failure varies by shop. It’s a tricky repair that most people should not attempt on their own. The cost of the fuel pump itself can run you from about $110 to $949, depending on your car.
You may need to drop the fuel tank to reach the fuel pump, which can be an expensive process requiring some specialized tools (and a lot of strength on your part). The total cost for replacement at a mechanic may cost between $260 and $1200.
3. Worn-Out Spark Plugs
Over time, spark plugs wear down. If they aren’t changed out, they eventually will not be able to spark the way they should. If this happens, the engine may run poorly, or the spark may not be enough to start the engine.
How do I fix it?
Change your spark plugs. How often you should replace them depends on your model, as well as the quality of the plugs. Generally, spark plugs need to be replaced every 30,000 to 100,000 miles.
How much will it cost?
Spark plugs can cost between $6 and $167 each depending on your car and the quality of the plugs.
Note that some vehicles require 6 plugs, and some require 8 – it depends mostly on the size of your engine. If you’re planning to replace the plugs yourself, you’ll need a pulling tool. This spark plug-pulling tool can cost anywhere from $10 to $40.
You will also need a gap gauge in order to prepare your new plugs. A gap gauge tool can cost between $2.50 and $20.
4. Spark Plug Gaps
When a spark plug wears down, the gap between the plug and the conductor becomes larger. When this gap is too large, the engine may not run well. With enough wear, the engine may not fire up.
How do I fix it?
You can replace your spark plugs if they are older, as mentioned above. Otherwise, you can pull them out and adjust the gap to be the proper size.
How much will it cost?
To get the right gauge on your spark plugs, you’ll need two tools. A spark plug puller helps you get the plugs out of their housing in the engine. This tool can cost between $10 and $40. You’ll also need a gap gauge tool to show you the proper gap. A gap gauge will run you between $2.50 and $20.
5. Thicker Oil in the Winter
Due to colder temperatures, oil can get thicker in the winter. Thicker oil makes it more difficult for your engine to run and may cause it to start unreliably.
How do I fix it?
There are two ways to fix problems caused by thicker oil. You can use full synthetic oil, as it stays liquid in colder temperatures and does not thicken or freeze. Alternatively, you can use an engine block heater. These heaters must be installed, but they help the car start easier.
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Engine Block Heater
Make sure that however you fix it, you’re using the correct oil weight. Different cars take different oil weights, and choosing the correct one can make all of the difference and save your engine from damage.
How much will it cost?
It is inexpensive to install an engine block heater yourself. No specialized tools are required as long as you have hand tools available. The block heater itself will cost between $50 and $300, depending on the type of heater you want to purchase.
6. Bad Battery
When it’s cold, batteries may not work correctly. This is because the battery is producing fewer electrons. The chemical reactions that occur inside the battery happen slower than usual, so the starter has less energy to start with. The engine may crank slowly due to the lack of power from your battery.
How do I fix it?
Make sure that the battery is your problem before purchasing a new one. You can use a multimeter to test the battery after the car has been sitting for 12 hours.
A battery that is bad will have a voltage lower than 12.0 volts. If your battery tests above 12.85 volts, it is fully charged.
How much will it cost?
Replacing your battery is an easy repair that you can do yourself. You only need hand tools to remove a few bolts. The average car battery costs between $50 and $120, while premium batteries can cost up to $200.
7. Gasoline Evaporation
Gasoline evaporates slowly in the cold weather. It can expand and become harder to burn. It’s a good thing for your gas mileage, but not great for your engine. It’s harder for your motor to burn gasoline in the cold, so starting may be slower.
How do I fix it?
Ether evaporates easier than gas, so it is easier to burn. There are several types of ether starting fluid you can purchase to get your car going in the cold. Simply spray the ether into your engine to help it start and burn gas that much quicker.
How much will it cost?
A can of ether starting fluid is relatively inexpensive. Starting fluid usually costs between $10 and $20. You can easily apply it yourself.
8. Battery Connections
Sometimes the cables that connect to your batter can become corroded or dirty. They can also come loose, resulting in a missed connection between the battery and the starter.
How do I fix it?
Make sure that all of your battery cables are dry, clean, and that they are tightly attached. Clean the clamps if they are dirty, and check all of the wires for corrosion. Make sure to check the cable that runs to the starter as well.
How much will it cost?
It costs nothing to check the battery cables. You can make a solution to clean off dirt and corrosion yourself from baking soda.
9. Ground Connections
The engine grounding strap or cable can become loose over time. Whether it loosens due to corrosion, vibration, or another problem, it can cause your engine to have trouble starting.
How do I fix it?
You may need to have the engine ground diagnosed by a professional. If you have the electrical tools to test the ground, you can determine if that is the problem. To fix it, remove the ground strap with hand tools and replace it with a new strap.
How much will it cost?
Engine ground straps and cables can cost between $3 and $30 depending on the type your car uses. The most expensive part of this repair is having it properly diagnosed.
10. Alternator
Alternators can go bad over time due to bearings wearing out, the regulators failing, or dirt getting into the unit. When the alternator goes bad, the battery is the only thing that keeps the car running, and it won’t last long.
How do I fix it?
You can tell the alternator is bad if you smell burning rubber when you try to start your car. The car may also die immediately after a jump-start if the alternator is bad.
You’ll need to replace the alternator to fix the issue. It’s far from a simple repair, but it’s not tricky. The only step that may give you trouble is removing the tensioner belt so you can access the alternator bracket.
How much will it cost?
Depending on your car, it can cost between $133 and $915 to purchase a new alternator. Rebuilt is less expensive, but also less reliable. It doesn’t take any special tools to replace an alternator, but you should have hand tools on hand to release the tensioner belt.
11. Temperature Sensor
Your coolant temperature sensor usually informs the car if it is starting hot or cold. If the engine is warm when it’s started, it uses fuel differently.
If this temperature sensor is bad, it could be using more fuel than necessary. This ‘flooding’ can make your engine perform poorly and reduce fuel economy.
How do I fix it?
Replace the temperature sensor. You can do this by disconnecting the electrical connector attached to the sensor, taking it out, and putting the new sensor in. Many mechanics like to use a sealer to keep the sensor in place.
How much will it cost?
The temperature sensor is not an expensive part. Usually, it will only set you back about $25 – $90. Replacing the temperature sensor is an easy fix, but may require your coolant to be changed.
The cost for that procedure is usually around $100 to $200 for coolant and the necessary tools to drain the system.
12. Bad Fuel Pressure Regulator
Your fuel pressure regulator can change due to age or damage. When it fails, it stops making sure that your engine is receiving the right amount of fuel. With less fuel than it needs, the engine won’t start.
You’ll usually notice a fuel leak, fuel economy troubles, or engine misfiring if the fuel pressure regulator is bad.
How do I fix it?
To fix the fuel pressure regulator, you’ll need to replace it. You can do this by removing the old one, putting the new one in place, and changing the oil in your car.
How much will it cost?
A fuel pressure regulator can run you anywhere from $52 to $200 unless you drive a luxury car. You won’t need any special tools to replace the fuel pressure regulator. You will also need to buy the engine oil to change the oil out, however.
13. Leaking Injector
Your fuel injectors are one of the parts that supply fuel to your engine. When they malfunction, they can cause the engine to misfire or have difficulty starting. That’s because fuel pools at the back of the intake valves when the injectors leak. Too much gas can be a bad thing for the engine, as it can be too rich to start up.
How do I fix it?
Make sure it is an injector that is leaking. If you smell gas under the hood before you start the engine, it may be an injector issue. You will need to replace the faulty injector to fix the problem.
You have to let the vehicle sit for a long time, allowing the fuel pooling in the engine to evaporate. When this happens, the engine will start usually.
You must find the leaking injector(s) and replace them. You must also replace the fuel filter, as the old one has likely been clogged. This may have caused the leak in the first place.
How much will it cost?
Each injector costs between $73 and $500, and replacing them is difficult. You must remove the engine manifold, which requires several costly tools. This is a tricky repair best done by a mechanic.
14. Dirty Air Filter
Your air filter catches dirt, dust, and other debris from the air outside. You don’t want that stuff being burned in your engine, so the air filter keeps it from getting that far.
However, this can quickly become clogged (especially if you live in a dusty place). This can cause the engine to fail to get enough oxygen to start correctly.
How do I fix it?
Replacing your air filter is a simple fix that doesn’t require any special tools or mechanical knowledge. It’s easier than changing your oil and only takes a few moments to complete.
Find the black box under your hood that houses the air filter. Unclip the two parts of the metal box and remove the old air filter. Place the new one into the box, making sure it fits snugly, and then reattach the other half of the black box.
It’s recommended to replace your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles. If you live somewhere that is very dusty or sandy, this should be changed more often.
How much will it cost?
The air filter is the only thing you need for this repair – even hand tools aren’t necessary. An air filter will usually run you $10 to $13.
15. Dirty Throttle Body/Idle Air Control Valve
The throttle body or idle air control valve can often become clogged and dirty.
This is because the vapors that your engine produces while it runs can create a soot-like substance. This soot can get into your throttle body or idle air control valve and cause it to work poorly. Since the throttle body controls how much air the engine gets, it must function correctly.
How do I fix it?
You can clean the throttle body yourself using a cleaning solution and compressed air. Locate the throttle body using the plastic tubing from the air filter housing.
Remove the tubing and find the throttle body. Rotate the nearby throttle mechanism and spray the cleaning solution around the inside of the throttle body. Once it has set for a few minutes, you can wipe the grime away.
How much will it cost?
You’ll need a throttle body and air intake cleaner, which will run you between $5 and $10. Canned air is another $5 or a bit more, depending on where you purchase it. Aside from hand tools, that’s all you’ll need for this project.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why your car may take longer to start. It may not be something to worry about, as slow starting is typical in colder weather. If it is a problem, rest assured it’s usually something small you can take care of on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I check if my car takes longer to start in the morning?
In colder weather, it can naturally take your car a while to start. It isn’t necessarily a problem if it starts slower than usual. Check your battery first to make sure it hasn’t died overnight. Then, make sure to give your car plenty of time to start. If it still hasn’t started after 5-10 minutes, there may be a problem.
Is it bad to keep trying to start your car?
Trying to start your car over and over can be bad. Attempting to crank your engine over and over can drain your battery, which can lead to several other problems. Continuous cranking can also burn out your starter motor.
How do you tell if it’s your starter or your battery?
If your car doesn’t start, it may be either the starter or the battery. In case the starter is bad, you will hear a clicking sound when you turn the key.
If you attempt to jump-start your car, the engine will not turn over. If the battery is bad, you will hear a whining sound when you turn the key. A jump-start will work, but the car will fail to start again if you turn it off.
How do you know if it’s your starter or your alternator?
The starter and the alternator may be at fault if the problem is not your battery. If the starter is bad, you will hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine. The car will not start when you try to jump-start the engine.
If the alternator is bad, you may be able to smell burning rubber. You won’t hear any clicks or whining but listen for a growling sound instead. The car will start when jump-started but will die immediately afterward.
