MY03 Sti8 PPP Cold Start
20 November 2003, 06:43 PM
#31
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Relieved that I'm not on my own. this problem ,in my opinion, is completly unnaceptable & really pi*ses me off. In the morning my sti8ppp is cranking over for up to 10 secs and sounds like battery is dying just before it starts. (embarassing more than anything!!)
The car has been PPP'd since new and was fine until the damp weather started . I first reported it to main dealer about a month ago and was told to bring it in to have the ECU "reset". No change, problem still there.
Car went in for 10k service yesterday and problem investigated and reported to Steve Gledhill (Subaru Customer care) who said that this IS A RECOGNISED FAULT WITH NO CURRENT SOLUTION but memo apparently soon to follow. I said that the car cost me alot of money and find this unnaceptable but was told nothing could be done by him and any complaint/ compensation needed to go via a main dealer. I told him that if I wasn't an enthusiast and this was my old M3 I'd give BMW the keys, take a courtesy car and say phone me when its fixed.
To my main dealers defence they are going to fit my prodrive springs FOC and only charge me cost for the springs.
I just hope this cold start business gets swiftly sorted.
The car has been PPP'd since new and was fine until the damp weather started . I first reported it to main dealer about a month ago and was told to bring it in to have the ECU "reset". No change, problem still there.
Car went in for 10k service yesterday and problem investigated and reported to Steve Gledhill (Subaru Customer care) who said that this IS A RECOGNISED FAULT WITH NO CURRENT SOLUTION but memo apparently soon to follow. I said that the car cost me alot of money and find this unnaceptable but was told nothing could be done by him and any complaint/ compensation needed to go via a main dealer. I told him that if I wasn't an enthusiast and this was my old M3 I'd give BMW the keys, take a courtesy car and say phone me when its fixed.
To my main dealers defence they are going to fit my prodrive springs FOC and only charge me cost for the springs.
I just hope this cold start business gets swiftly sorted.
20 November 2003, 07:12 PM
#32
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Relieved that I'm not on my own. this problem ,in my opinion, is completly unnaceptable & really pi*ses me off. In the morning my sti8ppp is cranking over for up to 10 secs and sounds like battery is dying just before it starts. (embarassing more than anything!!)
The car has been PPP'd since new and was fine until the damp weather started . I first reported it to main dealer about a month ago and was told to bring it in to have the ECU "reset". No change, problem still there.
Car went in for 10k service yesterday and problem investigated and reported to Steve Gledhill (Subaru Customer care) who said that this IS A RECOGNISED FAULT WITH NO CURRENT SOLUTION but memo apparently soon to follow. I said that the car cost me alot of money and find this unnaceptable but was told nothing could be done by him and any complaint/ compensation needed to go via a main dealer. I told him that if I wasn't an enthusiast and this was my old M3 I'd give BMW the keys, take a courtesy car and say phone me when its fixed.
To my main dealers defence they are going to fit my prodrive springs FOC and only charge me cost for the springs.
I just hope this cold start business gets swiftly sorted.
The car has been PPP'd since new and was fine until the damp weather started . I first reported it to main dealer about a month ago and was told to bring it in to have the ECU "reset". No change, problem still there.
Car went in for 10k service yesterday and problem investigated and reported to Steve Gledhill (Subaru Customer care) who said that this IS A RECOGNISED FAULT WITH NO CURRENT SOLUTION but memo apparently soon to follow. I said that the car cost me alot of money and find this unnaceptable but was told nothing could be done by him and any complaint/ compensation needed to go via a main dealer. I told him that if I wasn't an enthusiast and this was my old M3 I'd give BMW the keys, take a courtesy car and say phone me when its fixed.
To my main dealers defence they are going to fit my prodrive springs FOC and only charge me cost for the springs.
I just hope this cold start business gets swiftly sorted.
20 November 2003, 09:41 PM
#34
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Strange stuff... I've had my STi8 non-PPP for two and a half months, and ne'er a problem starting. I leave the gas pedal well alone, turn the key, and it always grinds for about a second then fires and rumbles :-). I wonder if the fact I use is almost daily for long trips makes a difference? my 10k service will be in a couple of weeks - just 3 months from new. Also, it's parked in a position sheltered on one side and to the rear, with another car blocking the wind from the other side.
21 November 2003, 09:03 AM
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I have been gettign that sort of economy just mainly thru resisting petting pedal to metal! 
Last tank was 220 miles and this one lookes like a 200 miler
I find on long journeys as long as you keep to about 80 and be progressive with the throttle it aint so bad!
Im off to coventry again next week so will see what I get that time round.
On the Cold start note lately its been a lot better, still chugs into life, but catches quicker now... Im thinking maybe duff fuel??? or just coincidence... Still no doubt it will come back again when the weather gets a little colder.
BTTT
Last tank was 220 miles and this one lookes like a 200 miler
I find on long journeys as long as you keep to about 80 and be progressive with the throttle it aint so bad!
Im off to coventry again next week so will see what I get that time round.
On the Cold start note lately its been a lot better, still chugs into life, but catches quicker now... Im thinking maybe duff fuel??? or just coincidence... Still no doubt it will come back again when the weather gets a little colder.
BTTT
21 November 2003, 10:04 AM
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I am awaiting my sti 8 and have been reading this thread with much interest. I had an 01WRX, which had a firestorm exhaust, center section and d.v. on. The car always started fine in the summer, even after a big drive to le mans. I had started to notice that the car would sometimes struggle to start, it tended to be after the car had been sitting in the garage for a few days or on a pretty cold morning.
Hoping they get the fault sorted soon!!
Hoping they get the fault sorted soon!!
22 November 2003, 04:57 PM
#37
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got the same problem as you guy`s didnt realise it was so common,mentioned it on the free service to lancaster(now shut)but they seemed to show no interest suggesting not to touch the throttle.Had the 1year service done at waldonway subaru but they still make you think its the first they have heard of it, although bloke said if it carries on bring it in.I know it wouldnt happen if they had it until id got it back.
27 November 2003, 10:28 PM
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I have been advised by my dealer to press the accelerator to the floor once before starting either with the ignition on or off. I have done this with the ignition off, for the last 2 weeks i have tried this and it seems to help.(THIS IS ONLY FOR COLD STARTS)
28 November 2003, 02:12 PM
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ref the starting problem: many years ago kawaskai motorcycles used to have problems starting as the heat from engine would evaporate the fuel and would be a nightmare restarting, may be related problem with the subaru??? just a thought, but modern ecu's etc should be able to cope with this nowadays!
29 November 2003, 03:16 PM
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Had no probs in starting with my STI8 ppp.
As for fuel economy, I have just recently driven from Cambridgshire to Surrey and still had 1/4 tank when I got back. All round trip of about 240 miles, plyed a bit on M11 coming back so 300 miles per tank is achievable.
Pete
As for fuel economy, I have just recently driven from Cambridgshire to Surrey and still had 1/4 tank when I got back. All round trip of about 240 miles, plyed a bit on M11 coming back so 300 miles per tank is achievable.
Pete
01 December 2003, 08:39 AM
#44
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had the same advice as Bob Rawle offers above (wait for the 'click' of the fuel pump) from Possum Bourne after having the Link ECU mapped - it helps.
Also, if there are starting problems I turn off everything electrical - lights, aircon, radio, before trying to re-start.... - also helps (more of a help when the engine catches, hunts and dies).
Also told that starting could be made better, but would cause a loss in performance - not sure of the connection, but I'll live with the occasional poor starts.
Also, if there are starting problems I turn off everything electrical - lights, aircon, radio, before trying to re-start.... - also helps (more of a help when the engine catches, hunts and dies).
Also told that starting could be made better, but would cause a loss in performance - not sure of the connection, but I'll live with the occasional poor starts.
01 December 2003, 10:18 PM
#46
PhilC, waiting for the pump is essential for the Link but only as it gives the ecu time to power up and sort itself out, as to a good idle giving you a performance hit thats total rubbish, the two things are NOT related in any way shape or form. I'm getting cars of the right spec up to 500 bhp (2 litre) here using Link V5 ecu's and they have NO idle issues at all even using big injectors.
Re the STi8's etc, the reason that they are hesitant to start is that they have virtually NO fuel enrichment for cold starting relying on the ecu running closed loop at stoich, all to do with emmissions, makes the car almost impossible to drive, I'm looking at a fix to incorporate when remapping which should overcome it.
bob
Re the STi8's etc, the reason that they are hesitant to start is that they have virtually NO fuel enrichment for cold starting relying on the ecu running closed loop at stoich, all to do with emmissions, makes the car almost impossible to drive, I'm looking at a fix to incorporate when remapping which should overcome it.
bob
01 December 2003, 10:33 PM
#47
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So is the cold start issue a compromise to allow the UK to have a STi?
No enrichment = UK(EU) emissions pass
enrichment = UK(EU) emissions fail
Bit of a pain...and not in the user guide...!
Richard
[stirring it up....]
No enrichment = UK(EU) emissions pass
enrichment = UK(EU) emissions fail
Bit of a pain...and not in the user guide...!
Richard
[stirring it up....
]
02 December 2003, 12:00 AM
#48
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BTTT, well interestingly enough, or not as it may be. it was fine up till yesterday and its started playing around again.. I shall try waiting for Fuel pump to finish its bits and see from there!
Ill update soon!
Ill update soon!
17 December 2003, 01:10 PM
#49
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Now it's got real cold my STI8 wont start first time either(every day). It can be first thing in the morning or the evening if I dont use during the day. Starts second time but very weak. Have rung local dealer TNS who reckon not heard of problem(yeah!), have since emailed them as problem persists asking for them to talk to Subaru as I cant be without the car for days while they try to find a problem. No reply!!!.
Have tried waiting for fuel pump. No difference.
Has anyone got to the bottom of this? Does any one have Subaru Customer Services email?
Have tried waiting for fuel pump. No difference.
Has anyone got to the bottom of this? Does any one have Subaru Customer Services email?
starts first time everytime.
17 December 2003, 03:40 PM
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Try This !
Unlock car, press throttle pedal to the floor, for about 30 seconds and release....
Then put key in ignition and then start engine....
See if this helps cut down the turn over time period....
[apparently -its a fuel vaporisation thing!]
[Edited by scoobyslut - 12/17/2003 3:43:31 PM]
Unlock car, press throttle pedal to the floor, for about 30 seconds and release....
Then put key in ignition and then start engine....
See if this helps cut down the turn over time period....
[apparently -its a fuel vaporisation thing!]
[Edited by scoobyslut - 12/17/2003 3:43:31 PM]
17 December 2003, 03:47 PM
#52
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Not sure about fuel vapourisation at -1degreesC - sorry, Scoobyslut. Fuel freezing maybe
More seriously, on these very cold mornings, and after just being serviced, mine fails to start on the first turn, then always starts on the second turn. Seems to back up the info above, but I'm not waiting on fuel rails priming or anything.
[Edited by ThrustSSC - 12/17/2003 5:36:09 PM]
More seriously, on these very cold mornings, and after just being serviced, mine fails to start on the first turn, then always starts on the second turn. Seems to back up the info above, but I'm not waiting on fuel rails priming or anything.
[Edited by ThrustSSC - 12/17/2003 5:36:09 PM]
17 December 2003, 04:06 PM
#53
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For the record, my STi7 PPP starts first time, every time. I always turn the key and wait for the buzz noise to stop (from under the bonnet)
17 December 2003, 08:10 PM
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Stilad.
have sti8,done 1800mls,reported cold start fault to dealer after 1 week of ownership & was told that they would reset the ecu at first service.they checked the ecu at service & found no faults recorded,the car was left at dealers overnight prior to service & amazingly started alright with them! dealer service personnel also quoted-weve never had sti7 or8s with cold start problems before.i replied-well you have now!
i have informed them that this is a very common fault with sti7/8s and that subaru are aware of the fault.also i have checked some previous threads (technical)& this problem seems to have been cured in france & switzerland by fitting a modified ecu.
my dealer was going to contact subaru to find out about a modified ecu,i last spoke to them on dec 6th.to date i await a reply,i find the aftersalescare from my dealer(ayrshire)diabolical!
i will be contacting the dealer again before the weekend & will post any progress,which i very much doubt.
Del
have sti8,done 1800mls,reported cold start fault to dealer after 1 week of ownership & was told that they would reset the ecu at first service.they checked the ecu at service & found no faults recorded,the car was left at dealers overnight prior to service & amazingly started alright with them! dealer service personnel also quoted-weve never had sti7 or8s with cold start problems before.i replied-well you have now!
i have informed them that this is a very common fault with sti7/8s and that subaru are aware of the fault.also i have checked some previous threads (technical)& this problem seems to have been cured in france & switzerland by fitting a modified ecu.
my dealer was going to contact subaru to find out about a modified ecu,i last spoke to them on dec 6th.to date i await a reply,i find the aftersalescare from my dealer(ayrshire)diabolical!
i will be contacting the dealer again before the weekend & will post any progress,which i very much doubt.
Del
17 December 2003, 11:44 PM
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DEL
I HAVE A sti8 WITH 2000 MILES AND HAVE HAD THE COLD START PROBLEM
SINCE 400 MILES MY CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER IN AYRSHIRE BACK
IN OCTOBER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME INFO AS YOU WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS IF THE CAR DOES NOT START FIRST TIME WITHIN 5 SEC FROM COLD TURN OFF KEY AND RESTART DO NOT TOUCH PEDAL FIRST OR SECOND TIME ALSO THE CAR IS VERY JITTERY WHEN DRIVING FROM COLD IS YOURS
ERIC
I HAVE A sti8 WITH 2000 MILES AND HAVE HAD THE COLD START PROBLEM
SINCE 400 MILES MY CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER IN AYRSHIRE BACK
IN OCTOBER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME INFO AS YOU WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS IF THE CAR DOES NOT START FIRST TIME WITHIN 5 SEC FROM COLD TURN OFF KEY AND RESTART DO NOT TOUCH PEDAL FIRST OR SECOND TIME ALSO THE CAR IS VERY JITTERY WHEN DRIVING FROM COLD IS YOURS
ERIC
18 December 2003, 08:39 AM
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Car was covered in ice this morning. Pushed pedal first for ten seconds(before getting bored) turned key and started first time. Still a bit week tho'. Could just be a one off. Will try tomorrow as well. Think its the first time its started first time from cold in weeks now.
I wouldn't mind but it takes me back to when I was a 'boy' and had a clapped out 3.0S Capri with auto choke. But that cost £750 not £25K.
I wouldn't mind but it takes me back to when I was a 'boy' and had a clapped out 3.0S Capri with auto choke. But that cost £750 not £25K.
18 December 2003, 08:55 AM
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This is strange, my 03sti has done 3k miles and has always started first time pretty much instantly.
Picked it up this morning from the airport covered in ice and still started first time it was -2 out there.
All I do is get in and start, very strange indeed, I have always used super UL and the car is completely standard.
Dipster
Picked it up this morning from the airport covered in ice and still started first time it was -2 out there.
All I do is get in and start, very strange indeed, I have always used super UL and the car is completely standard.
Dipster
18 December 2003, 09:01 AM
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same here,
I just lean into the car in the morning and start it.. let it tick over while I de-ice. It runs a bit rough for the 1st two seconds then picks up quite happy.
I just lean into the car in the morning and start it.. let it tick over while I de-ice. It runs a bit rough for the 1st two seconds then picks up quite happy.
18 December 2003, 11:31 AM
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I used to have this problem on my MY00 PPP, particularly after a wet and windy night. Solution was to pull out and re-seat all the spark plug leads, never had a problem since...
But Bob being a Subaru Tuning God (TM), I would take his answer as Gospel - you STi7/8 guys will have to wait until he's sorted out better mapping.
Maybe the EcuTek guys can sort something out?
Cheers
Richard
But Bob being a Subaru Tuning God (TM), I would take his answer as Gospel - you STi7/8 guys will have to wait until he's sorted out better mapping.
Maybe the EcuTek guys can sort something out?
Cheers
Richard
18 December 2003, 07:39 PM
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Eric
my car starts first turn of the key ,without touching throttle,then splutters & cuts out.second attempt at starting ,engine turns over not even firing.to start i have to floor throttle & the engine fires into life straight away.it does not happen all the time,sometimes it starts then splutters a bit & then picks up.i have tried waiting on fuel pump to stop motoring,makes no diference.i now floor the throttle pedal on second attempt & engine fires.i dont have any other cold running problems.it would appear to me that the engine is not getting enough fuel for cold start.somebody else has mentioned previously that the ecu does not recognise cold start conditions, or is not mapped in? im not quite sure about that ,perhaps someone will enlighten me on those points.
Del
my car starts first turn of the key ,without touching throttle,then splutters & cuts out.second attempt at starting ,engine turns over not even firing.to start i have to floor throttle & the engine fires into life straight away.it does not happen all the time,sometimes it starts then splutters a bit & then picks up.i have tried waiting on fuel pump to stop motoring,makes no diference.i now floor the throttle pedal on second attempt & engine fires.i dont have any other cold running problems.it would appear to me that the engine is not getting enough fuel for cold start.somebody else has mentioned previously that the ecu does not recognise cold start conditions, or is not mapped in? im not quite sure about that ,perhaps someone will enlighten me on those points.
Del