temps have dropped down into the 30's around here.... so not driving the bus frequently. When it is 'over-night' cold, she is REALLY hard to start....takes quite a bit of cranking. Runs fine, and she starts fine after she warms up a bit.
Where should I start my diagnosis?
cold (really) hard start
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- IAC Addict!
- Location: Metro Detroit
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cold (really) hard start
1976 VW Bus aka tripod
FI ...not leaky, and not so noisy...and she runs awesome!
FI ...not leaky, and not so noisy...and she runs awesome!
hambone wrote: There are those out there with no other aim but to bunch panties. It's like arguing with a pretzel.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: cold (really) hard start
You need the cold start valve spritz. It is critical with a cold FI engine.TrollFromDownBelow wrote:temps have dropped down into the 30's around here.... so not driving the bus frequently. When it is 'over-night' cold, she is REALLY hard to start....takes quite a bit of cranking. Runs fine, and she starts fine after she warms up a bit.
Where should I start my diagnosis?
There is a small red/white wire with a push-on connector on the starter solenoid. It goes to <consult Double Relay Article in Fuel Delivery> double relay only as a way station (the double relay does not affect this circuit) and off to the cold start valve. The other terminal of the cold start valve is grounded at the thermo-time switch. It only sprays for a couple of seconds only when the starter is actuated. Start your diagnosis with a test light on the double relay terminal and alligator clip grounded on bare metal. Have your dearly beloved crank the starter just a second, and make sure that the test lamp illuminates briefly.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Gypsie
- rusty aircooled mekanich
- Location: Treadin' Lightly under the Clear Blue!
- Status: Offline
Re: cold (really) hard start
I would also check out your Battery Charge status. How old is the battery? Check it's charge level before trying to crank anything. Needs a solid 11v (this number is pulled right out of my ear and is intended to mean a solid charge) for the FI. Overnight cold may be putting you at a start point below 11v, combined with the extra effort to turn the crank there may not be enough juice to run the FI system (pump/CSV etc...).
So it all started when I wanted to get better gas mileage....