86 is hard to start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
86 is hard to start
I have searched for solutions to my problem, but I can't find anything really close to my particular issue. My car is hard to start, but only if I crank it the first time and keep cranking it over. If I turn it over for a couple of seconds, then stop and try again, it will start right up. Any ideas?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I'd guess leaky injectors, pressure regulator, or check valve at the fuel pump. Since it starts quickly on the second attempt, I am guessing that you are benefiting from two, 2 second primings from the fuel pump to make up for lost fuel and pressure. If it were the fuel pump relay, it would have to crank just as long, either time to get the oil pressure to 4 pounds to run the pump. You don't mention if the problem is when cold or hot. If it's the relay, it should take a little longer to build 4 pounds of oil pressure with hotter, thinner, oil. But, I wouldn't rule out the relay. It's easy enough to check.
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RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
IF the fuel pump relay is bad, you won't get the ECM controlled 2 seconds of fuel pump running, when the ignition is first turned on. You also will not have the fuel pump running during cranking. The oil pressure switch is a back up to the fuel pump relay. Once the engine has cranked long enough to build about 4 pounds of oil pressure, the oil pressure switch closes and supplies current to the fuel pump. When the engine is hot and the oil is thinner, it can take more cranking time to reach the 4 pounds of oil pressure, necessary to close the switch. It's all in your HELMS manual.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: ERIN Ontario
My 87 does the same thing. Seems reluctant at times to start on the first crank, but starts immediately on the second crank.
Hot or cold.
I'm new to Vettes ,so i just figured it was a Vette Quirk. As long as it starts on the 2nd crank i'm still happy !
Mike
Hot or cold.
I'm new to Vettes ,so i just figured it was a Vette Quirk. As long as it starts on the 2nd crank i'm still happy !
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
I finally got around to fixing this. Figured I would get a major tune up done first so I'd be starting with known good components. As it turned out, the distributor cap was cracked and one of the plug wire terminals was also cracked (I broke it off with my fingers). The coil was missing the ground strap, three of the plug wires were bad, but the spark pugs didn't look too bad. Anyway, I replaced dist, rotor, plug wires, plugs, fuel filter and O2 sensor. After all this the car ran much better but was still hard to start. So I replaced the fuel pump relay and that seems to have fixed the problem. Man... I'm spening a lot of money on this car...
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
Originally Posted by MacVette86
I finally got around to fixing this. Figured I would get a major tune up done first so I'd be starting with known good components. As it turned out, the distributor cap was cracked and one of the plug wire terminals was also cracked (I broke it off with my fingers). The coil was missing the ground strap, three of the plug wires were bad, but the spark pugs didn't look too bad. Anyway, I replaced dist, rotor, plug wires, plugs, fuel filter and O2 sensor. After all this the car ran much better but was still hard to start. So I replaced the fuel pump relay and that seems to have fixed the problem. Man... I'm spening a lot of money on this car...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
I had the EXACT same problem with my 1985. I would suggest that you put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail and check the pressure. I could crank the engine and pressure would build, but like you it took the second turn of the key to start. I found that as soon as I turned off the key the pressure would drop to zero with in 60 seconds. I replaced the fuel pump and have not had a problem since then.