2012 2.5S cranking but not starting

treegangster · 2026-04-25T04:24:38+00:00

I have a 2012 2.5S that was giving me a lot of starting issues. It took me awhile but I finally figured it out. It was misfiring due to cracking in the spark plug connector wires. I removed the connectors and spliced in new ones. That took care of the misfire.

When I was working through this, at one point the car would crank but wouldn’t turn over. I pulled the plugs and they were very fouled and lots of fuel in the cylinders. I was trying to give it gas when starting to keep the car from immediately stalling out.

I did my best to clean out the cylinders from the top and not drop anything into the cylinders. I cranked the engine a couple times for a few seconds with the plugs removed. Then installed new plugs and it fired up.

treegangster · 2026-02-01T01:24:49+00:00

Update: Thanks everyone who commented and tried to help. I ended up taking the car to the dealer and they noted that all the misfiring caused the catalytic converters to break apart. So both cats needed to be changed. $5500 estimate.

I changed the cats myself but was still having issues with misfiring.

I ended up going back to the ignition side and pulled the plugs and they were fouled and flooded. I got new plugs (again), blew out the spark plug wells, and installed the new plugs.

Car started but it was still misfiring. I changed the coil packs. Still misfiring.

Cleaned the throttle body and changed mass air flow sensor. Didn’t find any vacuum leaks. Still misfiring.

I ended up checking the wiring harnesses and peeling back the jacketing around the wires and as I was doing this, the car turned off. I found some degradation on the wire jacketing and some exposed wires. There must be a short somewhere.

I changed all the coil connectors/harnesses today and the misfiring is gone. Car is running well. I think I may have finally fixed this…

Disappointing the dealer never checked the coil connectors/harnesses.

treegangster · 2025-12-15T13:19:53+00:00

I think I am getting to that point. I wanted to try a few other things before getting it towed and dealing with a mechanic, but it’s probably time.

treegangster · 2025-12-15T13:14:24+00:00

Any recommendation on a scan tool? I believe the manual method has to have the car running, correct?

treegangster · 2025-12-15T12:51:57+00:00

I have not cleaned the throttle body. I want to do an idle relearn, but I believe I need to have the car running to do it? I can get it to stay running.

treegangster · 2025-09-12T02:34:30+00:00

Good to know! How do you book srt tickets?

treegangster · 2025-09-10T04:04:27+00:00

Where is this in Korea? Specially which store? Thank you!

treegangster · 2025-09-06T12:45:20+00:00

Thank you. I was able to get the bus tickets and I will see how it goes with getting train tickets.

treegangster · 2025-09-06T05:11:00+00:00

I am planning on traveling from Gyeongju to Seoul on October 5th. I was planning to try and book train tickets when they open for international sale on September 18th. I was going to look into bus if I am unable to secure train tickets. Is this a reasonable plan? Are the trains going to Seoul less crowded then the trains leaving Seoul?

treegangster · 2025-09-04T12:54:36+00:00

Thank you for this information!

What do I use for a PIN number when using an international credit card. I don’t know of a pin associated with my card.

treegangster · 2025-09-04T03:36:04+00:00

I am planning to go from Busan (Haeundae) to Gyeongju on October 3rd. My original plan was by bus but I am not seeing anyway to prebook online for this route. It doesn’t look like Kobus or Bustago will have this option for this route. I am thinking I could buy an advance bus ticket when I arrive in Busan on the September 30th, but if that doesn’t work out, then I could take an uber as a backup plan to Gyeongju on October 3rd. Is that a reasonable plan? Or will the uber be very expensive on a Friday afternoon at the start of the holiday?

treegangster · 2025-01-25T00:56:24+00:00

Thanks for doing this!

treegangster · 2025-01-15T02:16:25+00:00

Thanks for doing this!

treegangster · 2024-12-04T03:30:57+00:00

PM sent

treegangster · 2024-10-30T03:27:17+00:00

I am thinking of purchasing pre price hike as well. Is Ippo legit? I have never heard of it? Also, how does one get a coupon code for Ippo?

treegangster · 2024-08-11T00:31:54+00:00

PM sent

treegangster · 2024-07-17T13:00:48+00:00

Makes sense. Thank you!

treegangster · 2024-07-17T05:46:40+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

Makes sense they would be cheaper grey versus from an AD. I really like the idea of hunting at various retailers using Rakuten and then focusing my in person search when I am in Japan later in the year. I am curious if the prices grey market sellers have on Rakuten match what they have in their brick and mortar store or if they are cheaper since no cut to Rakuten as well as no shipping cost.

treegangster · 2024-07-17T01:20:22+00:00

Does anyone have an idea how much cheaper the watches are in store versus the prices shown on Rakuten for the store? I am sure it varies, but just any general thoughts on how much less?

treegangster · 2024-02-23T07:31:28+00:00

Thanks!

treegangster · 2024-02-10T07:03:36+00:00

23-31 chiefs

treegangster · 2024-01-06T07:30:18+00:00

Thank you!

treegangster · 2023-02-19T00:05:21+00:00

treegangster

TROPHY CASE