Q: Will only start if you put gas in the throttle body

asked by on July 20, 2016

My 97 s10 will run great but you have to put gas in the throttle body for it to start.It will turn over but needs the direct contact of gas. There is also this ticking noise that is only heard when you role the key over.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Fuel Pump Replacement $145.32 - $1299.70 Get a Quote
Fuel Injector Replacement $400.56 - $3968.30 Get a Quote
Car is hard to start Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The engine fuel injection on these engine have to have enough fuel pressure to pop the injectors open to get it to start. The system injectors are known to get clogged and stick when cold also.

You would first need to check fuel pressure to make sure it is high enough, and replace the fuel pump if it is not. Then once the proper fuel pressure is achieved, clean the injection system. This may fix the hard start and if not, then the fuel injection spider would need replaced. If you want to have this inspected before moving forward with a repair, a certified pro from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the hard start and let you know what needs to be done.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Ticking sounds coming from the hood and weird noise of the tires
A ticking that changes frequency in line with engine RPM can be an indication of a collapsed lifter. Replacing a lifter requires a good amount of the upper engine to be taken apart to swap it out. It is hard...
Spark knocking in car
Your neighbor is correct, your particular model does not have an EGR valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/parts/egr-valve). I suggest that you have a technician check the condition of the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-bad-or-failing-spark-plugs) and test the spark plug wires. Either of those of those...
Gas mileage down
First off, spark plugs are not going to affect fuel mileage. Also, how are you checking fuel mileage? If you are using the indicator on your dashboard or overhead console, this isn't perfectly accurate. The only accurate way is to...
Engine noise at 60 mph
Hello, thanks for writing in about your Chevrolet 2014 Spark. The noise you are hearing could be an engine noise, such as a pulley going bad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idler-pulley-replacement); or maybe a suspension noise, such as a grinding wheel bearing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement). The...
My tail lights and dash lights stay on when I turn the key off
Hello there, many faults will cause your 2001 Chevrolet Prizm to have the dash lights and tail lights staying on when the vehicle is turned off. The most likely cause would be the ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ignition-switch) or a wiring harness...
What maintenance should I do to my 2005 Saturn Ion?
First off, yes your vehicle does have a timing chain. It is good that all that maintenance has been performed recently and should carry you for many miles. However, if you cannot verify the age of the coolant and fuel...
When I change gears or when the car changes gears in motion, there is a loud thump. What do I do?
Hello. This is likely a transmission issue. Have you checked the level of the transmission fluid? When was the last time you had the transmission serviced? This includes having the fluid changed and having a new filter put in the...
Why does my car blow heat then stop and then start up again??
This may be a sign of a faulty blower motor. As you know, these have electric motors in them that wear out over time and will begin to make squeaking or grinding noises as the bearings begin to wear out....
Horn keeping blowing when key is taken out ignition.
The issue is with the security system on your car. Try disarming the vehicle by holding down on the unlock function to the key fob. If the locks on the car do not work while the horn is sounding, then...

Related articles

2005 Kia Sorento vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs are great for playing out in the mud, taking kids and friends around to different places, as well as just running errands around town. While they are not known to be terrific for gas mileage, that problem is negated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...
B2106 OBD-II Trouble Code: Throttle Position Input Out of Range High
B2106 trouble code means there's a range issue with the throttle position input in a 4WD system, caused by a damaged circuit in the 4WD system.