AUII starting problem

Sox · 13-03-2008, 10:55 AM

Righto, I've had this problem since I purchased the car in November.

Firstly it's a AUII XLS ute, 4L 5spd.

The problem is hard starting, particularly when cold.
When cold, it may take the 3rd attempt to stay running - meaning it will crank, then start, then stall, twice - then stay running on the 3rd attempt.
It will do this if the engine hasn't been run for at least 2-3 hours, but is worse if left over night.

When hot, it may take 2 attempts, but usually it will stay running on the first attempt.

The engine is in good tune, with good leads, plugs, fuel filter, etc.
The engine has 140k, and is healthy.

It had the same problem with it's original ECU, and now with the XR6 ECU which replaced it.

I have cleaned and tested the IAC valve.
I have found no inlet manifold leaks.
I have adjusted base idle speed.

The engine has no other faults (that I'm aware of), and this fault hasn't gotten any worse, or better.

Ideas.....

Rick.

StealthAu · 13-03-2008, 11:13 AM

Have you tested your coil packs?

Sox · 13-03-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

Have you tested your coil packs?

No, what's the procedure for testing these buggers?

Rick.

StealthAu · 13-03-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

No, what's the procedure for testing these buggers?

Rick.

I think it is checking the resistance of them, I really don't know. The method I use to test them is spending $100 on a new set and replacing them

Sox · 13-03-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

I think it is checking the resistance of them, I really don't know. The method I use to test them is spending $100 on a new set and replacing them

Yer, I'd rather not spend $100 on something which may not have an effect.
I don't even want to pull the bastard out if I don't have too, they are a mongrel of thing to remove.

Rick.

StealthAu · 13-03-2008, 11:37 AM

If leads and plugs are fine, and so is the fuel side of things, I'd put money on the coil packs.

Sox · 13-03-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

If leads and plugs are fine, and so is the fuel side of things, I'd put money on the coil packs.

Have you had the problem yourself?

Rick.

StealthAu · 13-03-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Have you had the problem yourself?

Rick.

Yes, in my AU and also in an old VN, in the AU plugs and leads were the fix, in the VN coil packs were the go. The symptoms you listed in my opinion are of weak spark.

Sox · 13-03-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

Yes, in my AU and also in an old VN, in the AU plugs and leads were the fix, in the VN coil packs were the go. The symptoms you listed in my opinion are of weak spark.

Ok, I'll put that on my list of thing to check/replace, and wait for other replys.
Thanks.

BTW, I only questioned it because IME coils have either worked or failed totally. But then I haven't had much to do with entire packs.

Rick.

StealthAu · 13-03-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Ok, I'll put that on my list of thing to check/replace, and wait for other replys.
Thanks.

BTW, I only questioned it because IME coils have either worked or failed totally. But then I haven't had much to do with entire packs.

Rick.

I've had older cars where the coils just died all of a sudden, but on my old ZL and my olds ED I had them fade out. Both times I didn't think to check them for the same reason you mentioned, at the time past my past experience was the worked or they didn't.

MNM96 · 13-03-2008, 05:52 PM

I say Fuel Pressure. When my car showed the symptoms you described, I replaced everything stated above. Plugs, leads, coil pack etc. The car also showed that it was down on bottom end power when warm. I replaced the pump, and the next drama I found was great starting, and a funny, smelly substance emanating from the rear wheel arches, when under hard acceleration!

Mike

AU2PWR · 13-03-2008, 06:06 PM

I Agree with MNM96 , Sounds like a Fuel Problem .. Maybe with no movement in the Tank , the Sediment and Gunk is Blocking the Filter Causing it to choke until its free ..

That Smelly stuff is awesome hey dude !

Froudey · 09-02-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Righto, I've had this problem since I purchased the car in November.

Firstly it's a AUII XLS ute, 4L 5spd.

The problem is hard starting, particularly when cold.
When cold, it may take the 3rd attempt to stay running - meaning it will crank, then start, then stall, twice - then stay running on the 3rd attempt.
It will do this if the engine hasn't been run for at least 2-3 hours, but is worse if left over night.

When hot, it may take 2 attempts, but usually it will stay running on the first attempt.

The engine is in good tune, with good leads, plugs, fuel filter, etc.
The engine has 140k, and is healthy.

It had the same problem with it's original ECU, and now with the XR6 ECU which replaced it.

I have cleaned and tested the IAC valve.
I have found no inlet manifold leaks.
I have adjusted base idle speed.

The engine has no other faults (that I'm aware of), and this fault hasn't gotten any worse, or better.

Ideas.....

Rick.

I have an AUII XR6 that is doing the XACTLY same thing. have you fixed this problem? what was it? fuel pump or coil.

Cheers

Sox · 09-02-2009, 08:41 PM

I never actually found out what it was, and after a while never really worried about it as it always started after the 2nd attempt.
The car is now sold.

Fordfan4u · 09-02-2009, 09:16 PM

Had the same problem but 2 different reasons......
1st reason Coil packs.
2nd reason blocked fuel filter.

Disconnect the lead from the plug, leave it plugged to the coil pack and put the lead into your mouth... If you get knocked out or knocked off your feet, that particular point is good. Repeat for the remaining 5. If you get a weak smack in the mouth and you dont get knocked over, replace that pack.

au11futura · 09-02-2009, 09:56 PM

Funny that i had the same prob all i did is replace the fuel filter and bobs your uncle it worked.

Froudey · 10-02-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au11futura

Funny that i had the same prob all i did is replace the fuel filter and bobs your uncle it worked.

i recently changed the fuel filter last sunday, no change.