Gotta crank it twice

[Potter]

I have a slow starter hot or cold. 73 2.0 FI. I have to turn the ignition over for about three/four seconds....nothing. Wait 20 seconds and then turn key again to start (sometimes I must do this again)and she lights right up. I have checked/cleaned every electrical connection and ground I can find. Alternator is fine. I have added a grounding strap. I have replaced the starter. I bought a new battery and associated connections. I went to Graceland and knelt to Elvis and asked him to intervene. I fasted for several days (OK, hours). I even went to the basement and cried out loud, "OK God, I accept that it is a VW.......just make her start with one turn of the key!!!!".

OK, I'm finished. Any suggestions?

[bludden]

Could it be a fuel pump or filter problem? Maybe its taking a while to get the gas to flow?

[hardflex]

i used to have trouble starting mine when my spark plug gap got too big. it would run fine once started but took a real effort to start it. closed up the gap and it fired right off. you might check for that.

PD

[Will98D]

Are you saying the starter/engine turns slowly, or the car is slow to start even though it cranks over normally? I'm guessing the starter/engine turns slowly, but the responses so far are for slow (hard) to start. Your answer will likely provide direction for the suggested fixes.

[jackmech]

If the check valve on your fuel pump has died (as mine has) you won't have any fuel pressure when you try to start the car. Turn the key on and off a few times (not trying to start the car yet) to build up pressure, then try to start it.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I agree with jack, this sounds like the fuel pump. I've had this problem twice with a 2.0 and a 1.7 . Both times, a new fuel pump solved the problem.

[Will98D]

if it is the check valve in the fuel pump but otherwise the fp works well, there is a really cheap fix available through a BMW dealer: a retrofit check valve kit for about $4 that was done for the E32 (7-series), whose fuel pumps used to have the valve crap out. I have one in the garage and will try to remember to post the p/n later this afternoon after changing my 535 lower control arms.

[Andyrew]

I just fixed that problem, I put a ground wire from the battery to the starter mounting bolt, email me if u need pics, 3 dollar part, 2 min installation, starts every time. if that aint it, then ittle help when that is it, lol.

[Potter]

Did you just snake a new wire from the battery negative post to one of the bolts on the starter? Which bolt.......one of the mounting bolts or one of the bolts intended for electrical connection? I'm excited to try this tonight!!!

[Andyrew]

Yup, from the battery negative post to one of the mounting bolts, otherwize you get a ark..

I know from experience, then my dad stated out i mounted to the rong bolt, swiched it, and it started on the first turn of the starter, actually it scared me that it started so soon . let me know what happends

[Mike D.]

Mine does this too. It's the key switch in the steering column. I turn it all the way and hold it, and nothing happens. Wiggle the key or go off then on again and, boom, starts right up. I replaced the plastic electric part, still did it, so now I need a new key part.

Oh well, good luck,
Mike D.

[Potter]

Andyrew - - - which starter bolt did you ground to? The one accessed from beneath the car or the one that you can get to in the engine compartment?? If it is the one in the engine compartment it is MUCH MUCH easier. I just want to make sure I do precisely what you did.

[Andyrew]

The starter bolt beneath the car. Jack the drivers side up *tward the back, and get it secure. Put the wire through the rubber engine sheald and it goes directly to the starter, then connect it to the MOUNTING bolt on the starter(bolt closest to the engine) then the other side goes to the battery/negitive ground bolt. All this gives you a good ground connection, therefore better starter response= stronger starting starter. if you want pics ill get them.

[Potter]

Beautiful.....I know exactly what to do now. I'll do the deed tomorrow and let you know how it turns out.