cold start issues
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: kyle texas
I threw out some details last week and got no response so I thought maybe vague was the was to go, anyway extended crank, usually six or so times before it will finally start, may die may not, once the engine is warmed up it will start with no issues for the rest of the day, any info on troubleshooting woudl be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
extended crank can idicate a fuel delivery issue. do a complete fuel pressure check and take out the IAC and clean it. Make sure you are receiving adequate spark.
Come back and let us know what you find.
Come back and let us know what you find.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Long cranking times are usually the result of a dead fuel pump relay. GM engineered a "backup plan" to start the car in the event of relay failure.....the oil pressure switch.
If the relay fails, the OP switch will close once approx. 4 psi of oil pressure builds during cranking, thus completing the circuit to the fuel pump and allowing the car to start. NOTE: The OP switch is wired in parallel....not series. It will NOT shut off the fuel pump to prevent engine seizure if oil pressure falls off to zero....so long as the fuel pump relay is operational, the pump will continue to run even if oil pressure falls off completely...it is not a failsafe.
The relay makes sense in your case. When the engine has been run, it will build oil pressure rapidly....when it sits overnight the oil drains back to the pan.
When you turn the key on, do you hear the pump run for the 2 second prime? Better yet, throw a fuel pressure gauge on the schrader valve and turn the key on. Does it build fuel pressure immediately? If not, crank the engine.....is there a few seconds of delay before pressure builds? If so, test the fuel pump relay. I think you're a $10 part away from the cure.
If the relay fails, the OP switch will close once approx. 4 psi of oil pressure builds during cranking, thus completing the circuit to the fuel pump and allowing the car to start. NOTE: The OP switch is wired in parallel....not series. It will NOT shut off the fuel pump to prevent engine seizure if oil pressure falls off to zero....so long as the fuel pump relay is operational, the pump will continue to run even if oil pressure falls off completely...it is not a failsafe.
The relay makes sense in your case. When the engine has been run, it will build oil pressure rapidly....when it sits overnight the oil drains back to the pan.
When you turn the key on, do you hear the pump run for the 2 second prime? Better yet, throw a fuel pressure gauge on the schrader valve and turn the key on. Does it build fuel pressure immediately? If not, crank the engine.....is there a few seconds of delay before pressure builds? If so, test the fuel pump relay. I think you're a $10 part away from the cure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
You were much more thorough. And I did forget to ask him if the pump was running!
I started to tell him you would give your 3 things it takes to run a car but just in case you were cleaning the doghouse, to get ready for company, I wouldn't commit you.
I started to tell him you would give your 3 things it takes to run a car but just in case you were cleaning the doghouse, to get ready for company, I wouldn't commit you.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Funny Kittah....funny. 
I've been down with the flu for 2 days now....I FEEL like the pic....just without the geriatric smirk.
I need to petition the mods to make my "They need 3 things to run" mantra a sticky. Would save me untold typing.
I've been down with the flu for 2 days now....I FEEL like the pic....just without the geriatric smirk. I need to petition the mods to make my "They need 3 things to run" mantra a sticky. Would save me untold typing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Tell the Mrs. to keep the chicken soup a comin"
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Thanks my fine furry feline friend (this is getting out of hand ) The worst of it was yesterday....I actually came home from work and slept the whole afternoon. But the sympathy points from Ms Friz are a bonus.
It sucks though...I have a ton of stuff I'm just itching to do on Marco and I don't feel like doing anything. So here I am online, troubleshooting all across the fruited plain.
) The worst of it was yesterday....I actually came home from work and slept the whole afternoon. But the sympathy points from Ms Friz are a bonus. It sucks though...I have a ton of stuff I'm just itching to do on Marco and I don't feel like doing anything. So here I am online, troubleshooting all across the fruited plain.
