Cold start problems-HELP

Toga82sc · 02-25-2003, 03:30 AM

Well here is the problem. I get in the car after a couple of days without driving it, it cranks and cranks but will not fire. I jump it off with my SUV and it fires up after a few cranks. I can let it run for a while, shut if off and come back 2 hours later and it will start right up, but let it sit for 2 days and it cranks, but won't fire. Any ideas where to start or what to look for?

Toga82sc

dickster · 02-25-2003, 03:42 AM

it sounds like the battery, i would get it properly tested. it won't cost anything.

IROC · IROC's Garage

If it "cranks and cranks", I wouldn't suspect the battery right away.

Sounds like a potential fuel pressure problem to me or possibly a cold start injector. If your fuel pressure leaks down (due to a leaking fuel accumulator or leaking fuel injectors) the car will be harder to start as it has to crank until fuel pressure is built back up in the system. The warm-up regulator can also cause hard starting when the engine is cold if it isn't functioning correctly.

One thing to try: after the car has been sitting for a couple of days, before you crank it, try removing the air filter and with the key in the "on" or "run" position, lift the sensor beam slightly until you just start to hear (and feel) fuel going through the fuel distributor. The, put the air filter back on and try to start it. If it starts right up, then you have some sort of fuel pressure-releated issue.

Good luck,

Mike

dickster · 02-25-2003, 06:54 AM

i suspect it is the battery due to it starting from a "jump". it can have enough power to crank, but not to fire it up.

makaio · 02-25-2003, 07:09 AM

Dito to what dickster said. I had a similar problem, that was solved by replacing the battery. I'm no expert, but I believe it's because the CDI is not recieving enough voltage/amperage?

But I would still make sure you are getting fuel as well.

targa80 · targa80's Garage

After two days try starting the car with the jump from the SUV. If you still have to crank it for a while then it ain't the battery. If it fires right up then it is the battery or you have something draining the battery down over time.

boyt911sc · boyt911sc's Garage

I am with agreement with Dickster's observation that you probably have battery problem. I had similar problem in the past and it was corrected after improving the ground strap/s connection to the chassis.

As you mentioned before, all you did was jump started it and it ran. So even without checking your fuel pressure, you could safely assume it's within tolerance range. My two-cents......

john walker's workshop · 02-25-2003, 12:36 PM

not starting cold has nothing to do with fuell pressure bleeding off, unless there's no pressure at all, of course. pressure bleed down affects hot starting. either the state of tune is way off, the starter is worn and cranks real slow, the cold start system is not working, or maybe a battery problem, which would be the last on my list, considering it cranks for a long time.

Toga82sc · 02-25-2003, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys. A little more info. Valves were set and tune up about 3K miles ago. Car runs very good but boggs a little for the first mile or two down the road. On the days it won't fire, the starter cranks over as fast as on the days it will, so I don't think the starter is the problem. I can smell gas after cranking for a long time and the fuel pump runs. The battery is an easy check, but what's involved with cold start issues?

Toga82sc

dickster · 02-25-2003, 11:13 PM

Quote:

it cranks and cranks but will not fire. I jump it off with my SUV and it fires up after a few cranks.

this is why i would start with the battery.

makaio · 02-26-2003, 04:57 AM

I agree with dickster.

RoninLB · 02-26-2003, 05:07 AM

I agree with Matt

makaio · 02-26-2003, 05:10 AM

Great way to test is remove the battery from your suv and put it in the Porsche.