Help - Intermediate Starting Problem

[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

[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.

[Philip Lee]

good point starting motor... not sure if we looked at it but there is definitely enough juice from the battery.

[Bevan]

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...

[Philip Lee]

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....

[Craig]

Perhaps a sticky injector? Maybe run some cleaner through it...once you get it started that is!

[Bevan]

Let me say the last sentance again, sorry, doesn't make a bit of sense.

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

[Craig]

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

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

[Philip Lee]

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?

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

[Craig]

Yes and yes!

[Philip Lee]

Yes and yes!

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.

[Craig]

Dunno...never changed one!

[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)

[Okibi]

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

I had no luck, but theres' a photo here



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