every time she starts her car it cranks over and over again then eventially starts after giving gas which she dont need to do and after it starts she has to punch the gasso it dont die......i dont know crap about cars but i think it might be the timing. am i correct or what she has had plugs and wires changed it just turns over and over

i am sorry to mention that it is a sci 1997 4 banger......please help please

any body i still starts no matterwhat is any body going to help me [img]smileys/smiley19.gif[/img]

does it have any check engine lights on or anything along those lines? any warning lights?

no just a blinking coolant light which i think has something wrong with it

Let's see. The car cranks and cranks, and only starts when the gas pedal is pressed down, right? When you PRESS the pedal you ALSO allow more air to get into the engine. Check your air filter.


If it's clean, then I'd suspect your fuel filter needs replacement.


If neither of those, then PERHAPS the engine is not cranking FAST enough.


If the engine DOES crank fast, then I'd suspect a loss of compression.


To start and run, then engine needs fuel, air, spark, a fast crank, and a build-up of compression. Take any of those away and you have a slow start or no start condition.


You say the wires and plugs have been replaced so I did not consider the spark issue.


One other possibility, as I know Miatas more than Saturns, if your car is NOT fuel injected and has a carburetor, the carburetor may need cleaning or a rebuild. A fuel injected car typically requires throttle body cleaning from time to time. Does the engine run rough when it IS running? That could indicate a vacuum leak or a dirty throttle body.Edited by: LGO-SC2

Replace the ECTS Engine Coolant temp sensor.