Cold Start Problem
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 325
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From: B.C.Canada, EH?
Cold Start Problem
'93 Aero* AWD 4.0L. When cold-starting the van,the engine bucks and coughs on the first try. Turn it off. On the second try,starts just fine. Any thoughts out there?
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by AerostarDad; Aug 7, 2005 at 03:47 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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1) How long do you wait between the first failed start and the successful start?
2) Do you have to touch the gas pedal at all to start it? (You shouldn't have to.)
3) Is it unusually cold or hot outside when this happens?
4) Does this only occur after the van has been sitting for 3 hours or more? (3 hours is my general rule of thumb for how long it takes my van to cool down completely.)
5) How long has this been going on? Is it a recent development, or a long-standing problem?
6) Do you have a 'Check Engine' light after the self-test finishes?
7) Once the van starts, does it run and drive normally?
8) Has any work been done to the van around the time the problem started?
9) Is there anything else that you could tell us about the problem, such as noticeably reduced fuel mileage, stallouts, or a lack of power?
2) Do you have to touch the gas pedal at all to start it? (You shouldn't have to.)
3) Is it unusually cold or hot outside when this happens?
4) Does this only occur after the van has been sitting for 3 hours or more? (3 hours is my general rule of thumb for how long it takes my van to cool down completely.)
5) How long has this been going on? Is it a recent development, or a long-standing problem?
6) Do you have a 'Check Engine' light after the self-test finishes?
7) Once the van starts, does it run and drive normally?
8) Has any work been done to the van around the time the problem started?
9) Is there anything else that you could tell us about the problem, such as noticeably reduced fuel mileage, stallouts, or a lack of power?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: B.C.Canada, EH?
MarlboroKlingon...thanks for the reply.Here's the answers to your q's. Hope it helps...
Originally Posted by MarlboroKlingon
1) How long do you wait between the first failed start and the successful start?
Right away,no waiting.
2) Do you have to touch the gas pedal at all to start it? (You shouldn't have to.)
No,if you do on the first start,it dies.
3) Is it unusually cold or hot outside when this happens?
Doesnt seem to be temp related,just engine temp maybe.
4) Does this only occur after the van has been sitting for 3 hours or more? (3 hours is my general rule of thumb for how long it takes my van to cool down completely.)
Well,it seems to do it after sitting overnight.3 hours,it starts normally.
5) How long has this been going on? Is it a recent development, or a long-standing problem?
Just started happening in the last 2-3 weeks
6) Do you have a 'Check Engine' light after the self-test finishes?
No check engine light.
7) Once the van starts, does it run and drive normally?
Yes it does.
8) Has any work been done to the van around the time the problem started?
No,nothing around the engine, fuel,or ignition systems.I did the brakes about 2 months ago.Everything fine after that.
9) Is there anything else that you could tell us about the problem, such as noticeably reduced fuel mileage, stallouts, or a lack of power?
No,everything else is normal.
Right away,no waiting.
2) Do you have to touch the gas pedal at all to start it? (You shouldn't have to.)
No,if you do on the first start,it dies.
3) Is it unusually cold or hot outside when this happens?
Doesnt seem to be temp related,just engine temp maybe.
4) Does this only occur after the van has been sitting for 3 hours or more? (3 hours is my general rule of thumb for how long it takes my van to cool down completely.)
Well,it seems to do it after sitting overnight.3 hours,it starts normally.
5) How long has this been going on? Is it a recent development, or a long-standing problem?
Just started happening in the last 2-3 weeks
6) Do you have a 'Check Engine' light after the self-test finishes?
No check engine light.
7) Once the van starts, does it run and drive normally?
Yes it does.
8) Has any work been done to the van around the time the problem started?
No,nothing around the engine, fuel,or ignition systems.I did the brakes about 2 months ago.Everything fine after that.
9) Is there anything else that you could tell us about the problem, such as noticeably reduced fuel mileage, stallouts, or a lack of power?
No,everything else is normal.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: B.C.Canada, EH?
93nighthawk---Plugs were done about 6 months ago,wires ,dont know,possibly done before we bought the van(4 years ago).
Fuel filter,.about 2 years ago.
I'm kinda stumped 'cause it only does this on initial cold start each day. After that,it starts and runs just fine.It just started doing this all of a sudden one day.
Thanks for the reply.
Fuel filter,.about 2 years ago.
I'm kinda stumped 'cause it only does this on initial cold start each day. After that,it starts and runs just fine.It just started doing this all of a sudden one day.
Thanks for the reply.
Originally Posted by 93nighthawk
When was the last time the plugs and wires were done?
How about replacing the fuel filter?
Neglect of general maintence can cause hard starting, so I would start looking there first.
How about replacing the fuel filter?
Neglect of general maintence can cause hard starting, so I would start looking there first.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
hhhmmm.... it could be the wires sense they are at least 4+ years old.
How old is the battery? Is there a lot of corsion on the termanials?
Just for S&Gs, I would have your battery tested.
A couple other ideas for you is when was the last time it was decarboned? Or the IAC was replaced/cleaned? Or the MAF?
Without codes it is a bit difficult to diagnos.
How old is the battery? Is there a lot of corsion on the termanials?
Just for S&Gs, I would have your battery tested.
A couple other ideas for you is when was the last time it was decarboned? Or the IAC was replaced/cleaned? Or the MAF?
Without codes it is a bit difficult to diagnos.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
I believe your problem is something as simple as the fuel pressure check valve. The valve retains pressure in the fuel lines after shut off. When it goes bad, fuel pressure leaks away leaving insufficient pressure at initial start up. Mine does this also but I have learned to just turn the key and let the fuel pump "whine" until it stops - usually 2-3 seconds before attempting to start the engine. Try starting the engine this way a few times to see if this is, indeed, the problem. (Unfortunately, the check valve is part of the fuel pump assembly which is buried inside the fuel tank.)
