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Slow/Rough Start - '07 Caliber

21186 Views 52 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Branman1583
Today I experienced this for the second time in a week.

Background:

2007 Dodge Caliber SXT
1.8l 4 cylinder
5-speed manual
48,XXXkm
November 2006 build date

About -5*C outside or cooler

Last Thursday, when i came out of work, i got in my car and it felt like it didn't want to start. It took a while to finally turn over. I took it to my local dealer and told them about it. They took it in just before closing and looked it over and we decided that the battery, although not bad, wasn't the best for the winter ahead (which I was planning for considering that I drive 2.5km each way to work everyday) I had them put the battery in as I was already there, and they had done some test for me. The tech said that everything appeared fine, and there was not any draw even with the battery out of the car.

Friday the car started fine.

Car was fine all weekend, did 6+ hours of driving on the weekend in 4 ~45 minute trips and 2 1.5 hour trips.

Yesterday the car started fine.

Today I come out to my car, and the exact same thing happened as what happened last Thursday, where it seemed to crank for a while before it started. It did start though.


When my car is at home and its winter its in the garage plugged in. I have no place to plug it in at work.

Also, It was fine when I went to Montreal a little while ago and we had similar temps there, and it sat outside all night and started just fine in the morning.

I did a fuel system flush in October 2009, so that shouldn't be an issue. Is it this stupid computer again?

Anybody have any ideas as to what is causing this?
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I'm having the same problem on my brand new 2011 Caliber Mainstreet. If it sits too long, it cranks from 2-10 seconds and the kicks over.

Here is a video I took with it happening. The engine may be hard to hear over the car beeps but kinda helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNBo3hu_LDI
thats not too bad. There are very rare times where i will start my car, crank it for 5 seconds, and it just wont start. Crank it again, and it will start right up.
It only bugs me because it has never happened on my GM cars. It shouldn't happen on a car that has 99 miles on it
It only bugs me because it has never happened on my GM cars. It shouldn't happen on a car that has 99 miles on it
Yea, it helps that you have a video of it, id take it to the dealer and show them.

Is your caliber an auto?

It seems like they changed the way the car starts. I saw that you stopped cranking the car, yet it kept cranking by itself until it starts. A lot of newer cars have that feature that if you dont crank it long enough, it will keep cranking until it starts.
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Yea, it helps that you have a video of it, id take it to the dealer and show them.

Is your caliber an auto?

It seems like they changed the way the car starts. I saw that you stopped cranking the car, yet it kept cranking by itself until it starts. A lot of newer cars have that feature that if you dont crank it long enough, it will keep cranking until it starts.
It is an auto. It only happens sometimes though which is my hang up. My key turning habits haven't changed haha. I turn the key the same amount all the time. I guess I look into the feature of the car cranking it self. Thanks for the help.
It is an auto. It only happens sometimes though which is my hang up. My key turning habits haven't changed haha. I turn the key the same amount all the time. I guess I look into the feature of the car cranking it self. Thanks for the help.

Yea, its those intermittant problems that will get you lol.
It is an auto. It only happens sometimes though which is my hang up. My key turning habits haven't changed haha. I turn the key the same amount all the time. I guess I look into the feature of the car cranking it self. Thanks for the help.
yeah mine has only done it 2 or 3 times now. hasn't done it in the past 10 days as its been sitting in my garage while i've been away. should be interesting to see what it does tomorrow morning and after work

+1 for having video! i don't think mine will do that auto crank thing
i don't think mine will do that auto crank thing
only on automatic cars :bigthumb:
only on automatic cars :bigthumb:
makes sense...don't want any toyota scenarios!
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So i took my car to the dealer this past Saturday and they had it for about an hour. I was told that there was nothing wrong with the car and the car was just "learning" itself (whatever the hell that means). The guy said he checked all Bulletins and recalls and he didnt find anything for my car. Guess it was a 6 in a lifetime chance...
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When i bought my cali, the owner before me had the crank sensor replace. the dealer said it was resolving the cranking problem for 95% of calibers.

I hope this will help
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When i bought my cali, the owner before me had the crank sensor replace. the dealer said it was resolving the cracking problem for 95% of calibers.

I hope this will help
I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!
Did anyone ever get their problem with the car not cranking resolved? I am having the same issue. I replaced the starter and gas cap (thought it may be wiggling loose during driving) but the problem persists. Any help would be appreciated. I am not financially able to buy a new car right now so would like to keep my old girl on the road a while longer.
Did anyone ever get their problem with the car not cranking resolved? I am having the same issue. I replaced the starter and gas cap (thought it may be wiggling loose during driving) but the problem persists. Any help would be appreciated. I am not financially able to buy a new car right now so would like to keep my old girl on the road a while longer.
I'd say try replacing camshaft sensors, and crankshaft sensor. Alot of times these cars will take longer to crank in the mornings, but run fine. The car doesn't see the problem for very long, so it usually takes a very long time for it to throw codes (check engine light). That's a common issue on these. Hope you got this in time.
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