Intermittent Failure to Start

[Brook Moore]

Four times in the last month my 98. 5 has failed to start. The engine cranks well, but does not fire. The really wierd thing is that the instrument panel is totally dead when this happens. So if I turn the key on and the panel is dead, then I know it will not start. The fan and radio are not affected by the problem and will work when the panel is dead.



So far, the cure has been to crank for 10 or 15 seconds, turn the key off again, and then the panel usually comes on normally and the engine will start, though I may have to repeat the cranking several times before the instruments come on and it will start.



Any ideas?



Brook Moore

 

[Bob Cochran]

I really have no real clue but a suggestion. Could it be and ignition switch going bad? It seems to me this is one of the things that could be intermitent and cause panel to be dead. But then why is not the radio and fan!!! I don't think this helps you much. Just talking out loud.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Possibly bad crank-shaft position sensor. Your symptoms are similar to others who've had a bad sensor. Might need to pull the code with a scanner, don't think you'll be able to with the ignition on-off-on-off-on trick with your model year. Try a search on this and see if it's close. I think the sensor is relatively inexpensive <$50 to replace if you're out of warranty. Good luck.