1997 850 GLT will only start on second try.

[jsrnsis]

Have you checked all the grounds are good?

Neil.

The ones we saw were good. I wasn't around when the PCV was done, but I'm sure they were checked. It might need another good check with the PO having a dead battery and constantly jumping it.

We're leaning towards a fuel issue as a problem that would resolve on the second start attempt, but no matter how many times it is primed, it is hard to start the first time, and the fuel pressure gauge showed good pressure, but seemed to take a few primes to get up to 40 PSI.

When I get home I want to try swapping over a cap and rotor, wires, and brand new plugs. The car will be in Syracuse for over a month after this weekend.

[scot850]

Having access is a challenge in itself with complex issues.

It is worth checking the injector relay. I believe on that car it is above the radiator under the shroud with the engine fan relays. They do get rusted connections or corroded wires. You may have already done this but worth checking. I'm thinking that maybe the relay is sticking and it takes 2 bites to kick in. I think this is more likely an electrical issue somewhere which is what I read you are pointing towards.

Neil.

[jsrnsis]

Having access is a challenge in itself with complex issues.

It is worth checking the injector relay. I believe on that car it is above the radiator under the shroud with the engine fan relays. They do get rusted connections or corroded wires. You may have already done this but worth checking. I'm thinking that maybe the relay is sticking and it takes 2 bites to kick in. I think this is more likely an electrical issue somewhere which is what I read you are pointing towards.

Neil.

It's all a mystery, any other forum threads I can find seem to end in a dead end, or a different fix for the same problem. Fuel seemed to be the issue as there is spark and compression, I was expecting to see worse results with the pressure gauge. When that showed good pressure, and releasing the schrader didn't bring it back to a hard start, I was confused. And no idea how it can show good results on the pressure gauge and hold pressure, but when the schrader is pressed just give a minor spurt. The 97 is like a garden hose without a nozzle compared to the 98 being a firehose.

[wizechatmgr]

Is there a fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail of this year or back towards the pump like on the 99 XC? Just trying to think outside of those things already looked at...

[jsrnsis]

Is there a fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail of this year or back towards the pump like on the 99 XC? Just trying to think outside of those things already looked at...

If I'm correct, it's the device hanging off the back of the engine on the passenger side.

[scot850]

A bit radical, but maybe worth pulling the injector rail and seeing what happens when you try to start it first time and see if any injectors are firing. I guess you could do it with the old NOID lights without removing the rail to see if power is at the injectors on the first time.

Bad electrical portion of the ignition switch? Long shot as I can't believe it would be 100% repeatable.

Neil.

[erikv11]

Swap the fuel pumps between the 97 and the 98 NA; they are the same part. I'll put it at 100:1, the issue (bad check valve) moves with the fuel pump.

[jsrnsis]

Swap the fuel pumps between the 97 and the 98 NA; they are the same part. I'll put it at 100:1, the issue (bad check valve) moves with the fuel pump.

I already swapped the fuel pump with one from a junkyard car, I have an ignition switch ordered. I had a spare one from a 98 v70, but it turns out it has an extra pin and doesn't fit in the 850.

On whatever round of part swapping I'm on, I'll have to try to pump out of the 98. Already tried swapping over a fuel rail including injectors out of car that was running when parked(eternal project XC). A pro parts pump came out of the 97 850, which I wasn't expecting with only 120k miles on the car.

Noticed that this car has no position 1 on the ignition, there's no way to just have the radio on, only action happens at position 2. Maybe a clue? Very interesting saga.

[abscate]

Hmmm, that’s worth investigating.

If you give it a shot of ether, 3.14 seconds being the correct blast, will it start first time?

[erikv11]

Didn't realize you'd already tested a junkyard pump, I am surprised it didn't fix the problem!

But also Just to clarify I do mean full swap - I'd also test the suspicious fuel pump on the other (well running) car. Check if the problem moves with the fuel pump.