Twinzer

I have a 2005 2.3L hb with 7,000 miles. If I leave my car overnight on my driveway (slopes 15degrees) with 3 1/2gallons or less in the gas tank, my car will not start in the morning - I have to let it roll down the hill to the flat and wait a few seconds and then it will start. I brought it to the dealer and they said that it was just the way the car is and they could not fix it.

Any experience or help appreciated.

ivo

Try parking it the other way (if you usually park it facing the street park it with the rear towards the street).

kargoboy

The dealer couldn't fix it??? What do you have, a Ford Model T or a Mazda 3?
I wouldn't take that excuse for an answer. It's gotta be a weak fuel pump or something. God, dealers can be lazy. Did they even look at it?

Twinzer

The dealer said that they checked the fuel pump and it was operating properly with the correct pressure. I took it to another dealer and they said that it started for them after being left overnight

This is not an intermittent problem - it happens every time.

wakeupcall

I suggest keeping the gas light off, by putting fuel in it. These cars start great when there is gas in them and the pump can reach the gas. If the pump is located roughly around the center of the tank and the gas is forced away from the pump at an angle you state to be 15 degrees then its just a simple issue, you have no gas that is getting to the pump. This will happen to any car, if no fuel gets to the pump the engine will not operate.

Twinzer

That's bs - wife's car is a protege5 and with one gallon left in the gas tank, it starts fine in the morning in the same driveway. You sound like the dealer.

Also, my gas light comes on after 11 gallons gone which seems a little early to me.

kargoboy

I'd rather have it come on earlier than later. Anyway, it's good practice not to let the tank run too low.

snap-on

Have the dealer keep the car overnight. The problem is the drop in fuel pressure from the check valve.
If you cycle the key a few times will the car start?

Twinzer

Both dealers did keep the car overnight. The first one recognized the problem but said that it was just the way the car is.
The second dealer said that the car started fine (not possible).

What do you mean by cycling the key?

snap-on

When you turn the key from "off" to "run" you should here a slight hummm. If the vehicle starts normally after doing this a few times the problem is what I described earlier.

Please post the results.

Thanks

Twinzer

snap-on: I tried this and when I turn the key on and off about 5 times the humm gets shorter and then my car will start.

snap-on

You need a fuel pump.

krusher

Is the car auto? My girlfriend has a 93 nissan sentra and the same thing happened to that car. The dealer told us it was a relay switch or something. It wouldnt detect it was in park? it had to roll back even if it wasnt flat if you waited it would start after rollin. What do you think I can call them and ask for more details?

vegasdriver

I also park the car on a sloped driveway with no problems.
Would also say yours has a fuel pump problem..

Twinzer

Mine is a manual 5 speed