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Help - Intermediate Starting Problem

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:35 am
by Philip Lee
hi all,

my fd's 1.6 NA import has a funny starting problem. sometimes the car start right up but sometimes the car takes longer cranking to start. it happens to both cold and warm start. once the car starts, it goes strong.

we have changed a lot of stuff like spark plugs, leads, tuned idle, changed timing, swapped ECU etc and to our knowledge the only thing left uninspected is the fuel pump.

anyone has any idea??? did we miss anything?

thanks in advance.

Philip

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:56 am
by Bevan
I used to have the same problem in my Hyudnai Lantra. I didn't fix it though, I didn't really care and the car started anyway.

It's probably your starter motor or something like that.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:10 am
by Philip Lee
good point starting motor... not sure if we looked at it but there is definitely enough juice from the battery.

Re:

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:02 pm
by Bevan
Philip Lee wrote:good point starting motor... not sure if we looked at it but there is definitely enough juice from the battery.
Sorry, just re-read your post. It's actually cranking, so I very much doubt it's the starter. If you haven't checked the fuel pump, that might be it. How long does he leave the key in the 'on' postion before trying to start? Maybe the fuel pump hasn't fully primed itself and is trying to do so while he's actually trying to start? Leaving the key in the 'on' position for longer would help if this is the problem.

I doubt the fuel pump would be perform badly of be blocked somewhere if it's runnign strong once started...

Re:

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:54 pm
by Philip Lee
Bevan wrote:Sorry, just re-read your post. It's actually cranking, so I very much doubt it's the starter. If you haven't checked the fuel pump, that might be it. How long does he leave the key in the 'on' postion before trying to start? Maybe the fuel pump hasn't fully primed itself and is trying to do so while he's actually trying to start? Leaving the key in the 'on' position for longer would help if this is the problem.

I doubt the fuel pump would be perform badly of be blocked somewhere if it's runnign strong once started...


mmm, we might just try that. the reason we didn't inspect the fuel pump was that the car runs fine after starting so that shouldn't really be a problem.

and we really run out of idea....

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:57 pm
by Craig
Perhaps a sticky injector? :? Maybe run some cleaner through it...once you get it started that is! :)

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:59 pm
by Bevan
Let me say the last sentance again, sorry, doesn't make a bit of sense. :oops:

I doubt the fuel pump would be the problem or be blocked somewhere if it's running strong once started...

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:03 pm
by Craig
Try swapping the ignition barrel/switch too, others have reported intermittant problems with them.

*Bevan never does overly make much sense...*

Re:

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:21 pm
by Philip Lee
Craig wrote:Perhaps a sticky injector? :? Maybe run some cleaner through it...once you get it started that is! :)


do u mean those stuff that u put into your fuel tank?

Craig wrote:Try swapping the ignition barrel/switch too, others have reported intermittant problems with them.


ignition barrel as in the thingy that u put your key in?

sorry for the ignorance.

thanks

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:27 pm
by Craig
Yes and yes! :mrgreen:

Re:

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:29 pm
by Philip Lee
Craig wrote:Yes and yes! :mrgreen:


i see thanks.

with the ign barrel, if we change that does that mean we need to use a different key? this may sound stupid as i'm not familar with that parts.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:30 pm
by Craig
Dunno...never changed one! :)

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:17 am
by Okibi
No, behind the key barrel is a switch that the key turns.

You could spend an hour with a mates MX-5 and borrow theirs to see if that fixes things then put it back in.

But since the problem doesn't happen all the time it may no the issue.

(i'll try and find a photo of the switch from my NB)

Re:

Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:38 pm
by Okibi
Okibi wrote:..(i'll try and find a photo of the switch from my NB)


I had no luck, but theres' a photo here

Image

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/975