Protege 5 slow starting
 

I have had a repeating issue with my brand new 2002 Protege 5. It seems when I park on an incline (even slight) with the nose up the car has to crank a few times before it turns over. When I park on a flat (every night in my garage) it turns over on the first crank as I expect a new car to do.

Yesterday evening it actually cranked about 6-8 times before it turned over.....

Anyone else have this problem? Is it endemic to the protege or should I go visit dealer service?

there was something about this kind of thing (slow cranking) a while back on the board... I am pretty sure that I recall the consensus was that with the 3rd gens you want to turn the key to the "on" postition and then let the fuel pump prime the line for a few seconds before starting the car.

Since I have gotten into this habit the car turns over pretty quickly.

I also noticed that after 5 or 6k miles it seemed to start more easily as well... maybe I just got used to the car, but I am pretty sure that it is better.

JJB is correct, turn the key to the on position for a few seconds, then start it. When you turn the key to just on, you can sometimes hear the pump pressurizing the system. when the noise stops, crank the engine. It should start in 2 to 3 turns. The engine does get easier and less shaky to start once the engine breaks in more as well.

Wrong section by the way dude...

I had this problem once in our Millenia where the car had to crank a bit before starting. Of course I was parked on a steep incline and was almost out of gas.

My former MX-6 would require extra spinning to start cold when almost out of gas.

What's the fuel level when you have this problem?

Just so you all know the problem is with the fuel pump at least it would be with the 99-00 which i'm fairly sure has the same fuel system or it should. In workign with my fuel system when i had the turbo I found that the fuel pump DOES NOT turn on when you put the key to the on position. It has a relay in which the motor has to be either cranking or running to be on. Thats just an FYI from my experience in swapping out for braided lines.

maybe if you add a type R sticker it might help...
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TRICHOME