850 1996 non turbo delayed start.

klm · Post by **klm** » 20 Jan 2009, 21:44

850 1996 non turbo 146 K miles. delayed start

Recently had no start condition, changed Cam Position Sensor, fixed problem. Now I have an intermittent delayed start problem.

Recently changed the battery, coil wire (looked a little melted at cap connection) cap and rotor. All wires change 15 K ago.

The car starts without issue sometimes and may take five seconds or more at other times, maybe more than one attempt. Does not matter if it is cold or hot, 20 degrees F here in Philadelphia now, it is very random. Attempted high test fuel, no change.

It may stumble for just a second on start up but once running it idles and runs great. No loss of power and has never stalled or stopped running. No mis-firing either.

It is likely not related but recently needed to fix a bad positive battery cable, where it connects to the brass battery pole connector. There was a serious resistance issue as it was very hot to the touch.

I am new here and will appreciate any thoughts or advice.

Thank you, Kurt

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Jan 2009, 22:14

Hi Kurt, welcome to MVS.
You say the cap may be slightly melted. I really believe this is your issue...probably slightly cracked inside too or because of the heat it's carbonized inside. Sometimes connections are good and sometimes they aren't. If you get a new cap, I'll bet it will crank on first pull every time.

klm · Post by **klm** » 21 Jan 2009, 10:06

MadeInJapan,
Thank you,

I just replaced cap, rotor and coil wire last week. The old cap was cracked in a couple of locations and the rotor was pitted on the contact surface.

I would think that if it was a weak or bad spark condition, it would not run as well as it does? it idles very smootly without any hick-ups, it's only at start-up?

Could it be a fuel delivery issue? Is there anything unique about fuel delivery at start-up that is not an issue while running?

Any other ideas send them along?

Thanks again,
Kurt

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 Jan 2009, 13:45

A bad check valve in the fuel pump can cause that starting problem. Measure the fuel pressure at the end of the fuel - with the car running it should be right around 43 PSI. Leave the gauge hooked up and turn the engine off. The pressure will drop but it should maintain 29 PSI for at least 20 minutes.

...Lee

klm · Post by **klm** » 21 Jan 2009, 20:54

Ozark Lee,

Thank you, I will give that a try this weekend. Check at the fuel rail correct?

Kurt

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 21 Jan 2009, 20:57

Yes...there is a valve at the end of it (like what you fill up your tires with) called the schrader valve- you measure from it.