Uk Turbo 98 . I'm mystyfied by the problem. Whatever the weather the car won't start from cold easily.I have to crank it for 8 seconds or so. When it eventually starts the car runs fine and idles smoothly. When i turn the engine off it will start immediaetly but this only lasts for around 10 minutes after stopping the engine. No fault codes coming up. Replaced and checked the water temp. sensor. replaced co2 sensor. Unplugged maff when running and the engine dies. When started with the maff unplugged there's an erratic idle. Drained tank as i thought there may be water in there. Replaced fuel filter. Cleaned all the earth connections. Wired up the fuel pump to direct feed which someone suggested to me. Odly this worked for a few days which i thought had cured the problem. Then intermittently the problem returned until it was no longer intermittent but back to where it is now again. The mechanic at our garage said it was probably a coincidence. I've no idea, wondered if it was something to do with fuel enrichment. Any one encountered this or have any suggestions ?

 

Reads like a fuel issue to me. Assuming the direct feed improved the power to the pump, maybe what you're looking for is a leak?

Having had similar issues with other cars in the past... The problem has been found by methodical inspection and dismantling or a fluke "eureka" moment!

Have you any specialist garage near who can put the car on monitoring from cold?

J.

 

I'm assuming you are not touching the throttle AT ALL before turning the engine over? The 97-99 classics will flood if you so much as feather the throttle before doing so, especially if cold.

 

I tested for a leak. Attached a pump with gauge to the fuel line and pumped it up. Holds pressure ok. Was considering investigating ecu explorer from scoobypedia to see if that may give me some insight if i have no joy here but know very little about it or like you say have it monitored at a specialists.

Owned the car for 8 years. Had no problems with it at all until now. Throttle or no throttle makes no difference unfortunately

 

hi, having same problems with my wrx from cold tryed everthing but no change so still need advice anybody.....

 

Coolant temp sensor may be worth swapping if its a cold issue

 

Can you list what you have tried. I could push the things you have tried to the bottom of the list if i haven't tried them already.
I've already swapped and tested the coolant temp. sensor.

 

Try looking into ignition side now. Ignition power supply unit or the ignition coil or a set of 4 spark plugs. Take your pick. I would pick the power supply unit first.
Good luck.

WL

 

Am I right in saying that when you turn the ignition on the fuel pump primes to built the pressure. If this is the case could you turn the ignition on 3 or 4 times without trying to start the car to see if this is the problem.
I might be totally wrong but its something I would try.

 

Thank you for that. I'll try the ignition side starting with the power supply then coil. Already tried the plugs.

One of the first things i tried ("turn the ignition on 3 or 4 times without trying to start the car") to no avail.

Thanks everyone for trying to help.

 

Had a similar problem which turned out to be a faulty cam or crank sensor.

 

Had the coil pack checked out. Wasn't great so it's been replaced. Made a difference to performance and noticeably smoother. Didn't solve the problem so unbolted the crankshaft sensor but it wouldn't come out. Moved it around a lot and the car started straight away with it in another position so it had to be changed. Swung the alternator over out the way and prised from both sides up. The sensor came apart with the metal body left behind, fused in. Awaiting a replacement but looks like this could be it finally. Thanks chant / scubbay

 

camshaft sensor or crankshaft ?

 

Crankshaft