914 1.8 Hot start

[midfielder]

I have a 1975 1.8 that starts from cold every time I turn the key. Runs great until you turn the key off, then it won't start until it cools down. When warm if you turn the key the engine turns, starts and immediately shuts off. Let it sit for about i hr. and it will fire right up and run great. I put a fuel pump relay in , but still the same results. Any ideas?

[w21055]

Where is the fuel pump?

[midfielder]

1975 914 1.8, fuel pump in front trunk. Not the old style mounted in engine bay.

[jess p]

Good grounds are critical on that car. Clean the connections on the ground strap under the
Car from the tranny to chassis.Clean the pos and neg connections at the batt and to ground
and where the pos cable connects to the starter.

[midfielder]

Jess:
All those connections are clean and tight, don't think that is the problem. Someone told me there is a fuse in the relay box in the engine compartment that the Auxiliary Air regulator blows when it is bad. This person also told me that if you have had to replace a fuel pump relay, the AAR is bad. Can anyone confirm this?

[SirAndy]

Originally Posted by midfielder

I have a 1975 1.8 that starts from cold every time I turn the key. Runs great until you turn the key off, then it won't start until it cools down. When warm if you turn the key the engine turns, starts and immediately shuts off. Let it sit for about i hr. and it will fire right up and run great. I put a fuel pump relay in , but still the same results. Any ideas?

When hot, does the engine turn but not fire? Or does the starter not turn when hot?

If it's the latter, your starter is going bad ...

[midfielder]

Andy, the engine turns, but won't fire.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

The first thing I'd do is clean ALL the ground points with sandpaper. L-Jetronic is really sensitive to poor grounds. I'd even go so far as to add an aux. ground strap from the engine to the chassis. I had this exact same problem on a Vanagon(basically the same engine and fuel injection system). I double checked EVERYTHING in the system. An Aux ground strap from the engine case to the chassis solved it.

I know that the Aux Air Regulator problems with the fuse blowing occurs on the D-Jet 914's, but i'm not sure about the L-Jet ones.

Check the double relay, make sure it's working correctly. The fuel pump is in the front trunk on the 1975 models, so I doubt vapor lock is the problem.

You might also want to check the head temperature sensor.

[midfielder]

Jared:
Thanks for the ideas. I put a head temp sensor in last Oct. so I am ruling that out (got sensor from Pelican). Ground straps are all clean and tight. I am going to check the fuel pressure and the fuel pump. Also put new relay in last Aug.

Can cracked ignition switch be the problem? I have to turn the key very hard to make it start, even mor so when hot. Aren't the switches made of plastic and prone to cracing. This switch is the original from 1975.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by midfielder

Can cracked ignition switch be the problem? I have to turn the key very hard to make it start, even mor so when hot. Aren't the switches made of plastic and prone to cracing. This switch is the original from 1975.

If I remember correctly, the ignition switch is the same one used in a Super Beetle. If the switch was going bad, I think it just wouldnt crank at all. Just a click.. click.

[midfielder]

Jared:
Problem solved I think. Fuel pump doesn't run when statter flap is moved with key on. I can hear the relay click, but don't hear the pump run. Will replace the fuel pump and hope for the best.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by midfielder

Jared:
Problem solved I think. Fuel pump doesn't run when statter flap is moved with key on. I can hear the relay click, but don't hear the pump run. Will replace the fuel pump and hope for the best.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Before you start replacing things, check for 12V at the fuel pump while actuating the flap. If there's voltage, but the pump isnt operating, there's the problem.