Only had my 04 WRX STi for about 5 months now so have no idea how they act now the colder weather here......i say cold its still only probably about 6-8c outside guess its the damp thats having more of an effect?. Have noticed mine doesnt seem to like the cold start in this climate, now it has never failed to turn over and fire up but it does sound like it struggles and revs are very low for the first few seconds but just on the limit of not stalling out on me (i dont give it any gas on start up). Is this perfect natural for it to be a bit 'lumpy' from a cold start

 

when was the plugs last changed?

 

Not sure if it's normal mate but my 07 STI has been doing it recently too when i'm going up a hill just after work.

 

That my friend is a very good question....i think there supposed to be done at the 30k services arent they. I had the 50k service done when i had it as the belts were 5 yrs old but didnt get the plugs done at the time.......so im going to say never


Its fine after the first 5-8 seconds just on turn over, seems to struggle a tad

 

My 2003 sti has always been lumpy when it's cold, only for a few seconds though. Seems normal, well it's done it for 8 years now.

dipster

 

Mine has always done it to. Just for a few seconds till the idle control valve pulls the revs up.

 

I just sit on the drive for few mins before goin any where and do not put foot down untill shes been driven for at least ten mins. she is happy then :-)

 

i had the same, revs would hunt aswell, had the map tweaked and its miles better , as mentioned let it start and give it a minute or two before driving, find this worked for me

 

You are better off just driving straight off after cold start and keeping it below 3k revs until the oil is upto running temp(80 degrees) which normally takes 10 mins/ 10miles.

 

10 mins/10 miles

Eh?
How fast are you travelling

 

My 03 STi goes through periods when it will start first time, on the button - it then lapses into periods where it will fire and splutter. If if it does this I switch off immediately then try again with a very small amount of throttle. After a month or so of this, it will revert to clean starts again! Ive posted on here before, about the problem but never got a definative answer.
I did suspect a dribbling injector which overnight would then wet a plug on cold start but it's done this for years and the injectors have been changed in this time!
Now, this may sound weird but I've discovered something that works for me - When you switch off, wedge a stick between the throttle pedal and the seat (or boot release lever fitting) to keep the throttle open. Remember to remove this before attempting to start!: Iv'e been doing this for almost a year now and the engine has never failed to start cleanly, first go!
No, it's not April 1st - give it a go.

JohnD

 

I leave mine too warm a little before it leaves the drive, never an issue. Thought this would be better than driving straight off..?

 

Mine always ticks over a bit lumpy from cold start. I've get a AVCR so can watch the revs closely. On first start she is at about 700RPM and slowly creeps up to 900. As soon as the revs are up to 900 odd the car is fine. Ticks over perfectly.
It's always done this, been mapped a few times, got new plugs in and serviced very regulary.
Always leave the car ticking over until I see movement on the oil temp gauge and then drive nice and steady until she's up to full running temp.

Would the fact I'm using a Motec be the reason for this ??

 

Its the cold weather mate don't worry. Its like mine is struggling in the morrnings lol.

 

Never had a problem with a 05 Jdm Sti starting in cold weather same goes for the classic my00 uk turbo i had before.Get in the car clutch in turn the igniton and it fires revs sit at 1500rpm gently press of throttle .Revs drop to 1k revs when i gently touch throttleand when its warm revs sit normal .When was the plugs changed last and what heat range are they

 

Just wanted to add. In my case its not a starting issue persay. My car always starts first time. Its not a daily driver and even if left 3 or 4 weeks still goes first turn. What the op is refering to is fo the very first seconds of running(maybe 1 or 2). The idle speed appears low 5 or 600rpm. It takes litrally a second for the idle control valve to adjust and bring the revs up to the high cold idle. Mines done this since ive had it (2003) on the o/e ecu then with an ecutek map and now on a simtek. It doesnt mean it cant be driven cold or is missing or any thing like that. The revs are up to normal before youve got it in gear to pull off

 

yep mines the same. its always been like it... so i wouldnt worry....

 

From a cold start, mine goes straight to 1600rpm - just where it should be.

JohnD

 

Cheers for the replies, glad to hear its not just my beast that doesnt like the cold. Just seems odd, my previous car was a CTR and then never seems to have a problem with the colder weather and first start in the morning.

Regarding the plugs, as i said i cant see any suggestion of them ever being changed from the previous owner and as the car has just past 19000 miles is it something i should look at doing?, its a 54 plate

 

Thats what happens when i start mine up and the rpm i mention in presvious thread

 

Service interval for plug re-newal is 30k but most people change them well before this. I'd probably be on my 3rd set by 19k, but then again, that's me!
Regarding the cold start issue, it's not plugs - I've tried that. I've also removed and cleaned and checked both crank pos. and camshaft pos. sensors.
As per my previous post, try the stick method, you never know, it might just work!

JohnD

 

What fuel are you using .I had bad idle with tesco momentum when i tried it .Went back to V-power and perfect again

 

i have had the same problem since summer but it is worse now the cold weather is starting.
Ive tried different fuels, plugs, cleaners through, ecu resets, idle control valves, maf etc etc & it still does it. Mine is a 96 version 2 classic but it is a version 8 uk sti block.

Only thing i have left to try is take the walbro out & put the old pump back, when i fitted it, i went for a good run & not sure if a co-insedence but the next day it 'started' with the starting issue. But you can here it prime without hesitation so it could be over fuelling? * i also have a scoobyecu fitted but had the same set up on previous 93 scoob & never had any issues.

 

Runs and idles fine on either fuel.

JohnD

 

Just to update this, it had a service on Monday, feels a lot better now.