Cold start issues.

pb49415 · Post by **pb49415** » 10 Jan 2019, 02:39

My 1998 S70 is having cold starting issues. Since winter began. Once again I’m having startup problems. When I initially crank it over it fires up and then stalls. Takes about 5 minutes of sitting and sometimes leaving the ignition on before it will fire and stay running. During the warmer months it behaves normal. It’s only during cold winter days/nights when it’s parked for a few hours outside. Typically below 25degs F. Looking for some information on what might be going on?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Jan 2019, 16:59

How does the temp gauge behave? Does it go to the 3:00 position and stay there?

A bad ECT sensor can cause your problem but so can a weak fuel pump.

...Lee

Post by **misha** » 10 Jan 2019, 17:17

...or fuel pump relay.

pb49415 · Post by **pb49415** » 10 Jan 2019, 19:56

Temp needle goes a little higher than 3 o’clock position. But, once it’s there it stays there. I don’t know anything about an ECT sensor. Where it is or what it does.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 10 Jan 2019, 22:47

The ECT measures the coolant temperature. It is located near the thermostat. If it is reading out of spec, you will get starting issues. The fuel pump relay is also easy to test. Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to POS II?

dj_v70 · Post by **dj_v70** » 11 Jan 2019, 06:43

pb49415 wrote: 10 Jan 2019, 02:39 When I initially crank it over it fires up and then stalls. Takes about 5 minutes of sitting and sometimes leaving the ignition on before it will fire and stay running.

It sounds like engine is flooding for some reason. Do you smell gas at exhaust pipe after it stalls? After it stalls, press gas pedal to floor and hold it there to see if you can start it by cranking for 10 seconds or so (if it is on the verge of starting, keep cranking until engine starts to rev up and hold rpms at 2k until runs smoothly). If so, engine is getting flooded. That would narrow it down a bit.

pb49415 · Post by **pb49415** » 11 Jan 2019, 07:05

That’s what my original thoughts were too. But, the only difference is that if I leave the ignition on for a full minute before starting, I’ll fire and stay running. It would seem to me that if it were flooded it would have more trouble. Anything let’s say above 30 degrees it’ll start and run fine. It’s only if it sits out overnight while I’m in the shop working.

dj_v70 · Post by **dj_v70** » 11 Jan 2019, 09:41

Just to be clear, are you saying that the car starts/runs fine when its cold as long as you let the ignition stay in pos 2 for a full minute without starting? If that is the case, sounds like fuel pressure is having hard time getting up to full pressure. I have read on these forums that some have used cheap tire pressure gauges to check fuel pressure on fuel rail. I'd give that a try while a helper cranks the car.

pb49415 · Post by **pb49415** » 11 Jan 2019, 09:53

That sounds about right. Pressure would make sense. What should the pressure read?

dj_v70 · Post by **dj_v70** » 11 Jan 2019, 10:08

Somewhere between 40 and 50psi.