Nitrojunkie383

I have a 06 that has just clicked over 60,000 miles on it. I took the car in for its 60k service and now experiencing a slow start. Up to this point, I have never had any trouble out of this car.

Here is the background history on the car. I purchased this car around a year and a half ago, with around 46,000 miles on it. Since then, we have preformed the regular maintenance on it based off the manual's recommendations. A year ago, we replaced the battery. Fast forward, now its time for the 60k service.

I wanted the dealer to go head and replace the spark plugs, as I dont believe that they have ever been changes. I also wanted them to check out all of the other ignition components because I know how important it is for these cars to have a good ignition system.

At the dealership, they told me that the car needed new plug wires and that the coils were ok. They also had to reflash the ECM due to an emission recall. Once we got the car back, the car has taken twice as long to start. At first, I really didnt think anything about it. I just thought that the ECM needed to relearn the system. Now, after a couple of weeks, the car is still starting up the same way as it did when it left the dealership.

This car has always fired up right away when we turned it over. The battery is still nice and strong and the starter seems to be fine. Just for whatever reason, now after the service, the car just takes roughly twice as long to start up.

Any ideas?

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

First thing I would do is double check the wires and the plugs and make sure that everything is in the right place and they are tight. Second, 60k miles on coils are a lot. What procedure the dealership followed that indicated that your coils are fine? Did they just look at them or actually tested them? Make sure that your better connections are tight and free of rust.

Nitrojunkie383

Well, the dealer said that they where tested and did not need replacing. I specifically asked them to test to make sure. I this point, I wished I had gone with my gut and told them just to replace them. Agreed that 60k is a lot on these coils. I personally have not looked at the wires to see if they are in the right spot.
Would crossing up the plug wire cause this slow start?
Once the car has started, is seems to run fine. I drove the car last week and it seems to have the power were it needs to be.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Are you aware that the only coil test that the dealer knows to do will give a passing score to a coil that is misfiring all over the place?

Asking them to test the coils is rather fruitless.

Nitrojunkie383

Seems right. I just wasnt certain if there was a voltage drop that the dealer was looking for when testing the coils. Either way, the care is going back to the dealer tomorrow morning to see what the deal is. I will have them do a compression test and replace the coils.
Still, the whole thing seems weird how the car was perfectly fine before the dealer worked on it.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I cringe. The dealer is going to charge you $80+ each for the coils, and $200-$300 for the installation.

Vs buying the coils at an autoparts store for about $120 and replacing them yourself with a single 10mm socket, ratchet, and extension in about 30 minutes.

Nitrojunkie383

Well...replacing all the ignition coils. On top of that, replacing one of the motor mounts.
We'll see how she does now.

Nitrojunkie383

Yes. it was painful. Dealer Coil = $108.38 ea. Dealer Labor to install = $143.00

The only reason for having the dealer do it was for a paper trail. I still have warranty on this car and I dont want to have any issues later on down the road.

Maybe it wouldnt have made any difference, but I guess I didnt want to take a chance with the warranty.

Nitrojunkie383

On the bright side. The car is back to its old self and actually running better than before.
Driving at 65mph in 6th, I can actually accelerate around someone with out downshifting.

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

You will not void the warranty if you install your own OEM parts. You just need to keep the receipts of your purchases and document the service you did on the car. Another option would be to buy from an outside vendor the parts and let the dealer install them.