adamobie1

Hi,
After some advice which is simple to some , but not to others, any one any ideas as to why my car struggles to fire up, mainly when cold? Its had a new battery back in April 2009, including full service including cam belt, spark plugs, air filter etc.

Seems to struggle to fire, yet turns over and over, tried spraying engine bay in damp starts etc, but no joy.

Any suggestions, also please indicate where these items are to check around the engine bay.

Thanks for everyones advice in advance

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

did they put correct gap sparks in?

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Mine does exactly the same thing with the OEM battery. They are total sh1te M8. I'm gonna replace it with a Optima red top, which i'm sure will cure it. I had 2 replacement batteries when mine was under warranty. And they all did the same thing when the weather was frosty

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

My 03 STi does the same and it's not the battery. I thought there might be an issue with the starter motor hogging the amps but I replaced the battery with a good quality item and it was just the same!
It'll go for weeks starting first time on the button but then, for no apparent reason, when starting from cold, it will cough and splutter then refuse to fire. A couple of tries later and it fires up, fine! It seems to have a mind of it's own. It'll stay like that for weeks.
I've cleaned both crank and cam sensors, replaced plugs etc with no cure. It's been like this for years!

JohnD

davey50

This is my first time on your site, and just recently got a 06 sti with prodrive. The dealer said to run ordinary petrol which i did and after ashort time the car was having starting trouble and just did not run good at all. Changed to V power and all was well.

handsome rob

My 2003 sti has did the same thing a couple of times last year when we had all that snow and it was very cold for days on end, Im not sure where it is but i was wondering if it was the ECU temp sender ?

adamobie1

I gather so as all done by main stealers! But can't guarantee that......................................

adamobie1

Any one any ideas as to this one?

adamobie1

Would an atmospheric dump valve have any bearings on it? Its a baileys piston type!

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Try turning the ignition on and leaving for for 15 or 20 seconds with out cranking, Then turn off and ignition on again and then crank. If it starts ok its probably losing a little fuel pressure when its sitting.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Yeah, I've tried that as well. Seemed to help on a couple of occasions but no actual cure!
At the moment it's behaving itself

JohnD

adamobie1

Tried that but no real change! Would a atmospheric dump valve cause any issues?

Thanks for the advice

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Unless it's got a major leak - No!

JohnD

adamobie1

Any more suggestions? Also anyone know anything about these smart alternators? Would a 2003 sti type uk have one on it? As I know people have suggested cars should be ran with day lights on like a volvo to allow constant charge! Only what I have read so not sure on this????????????????????

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

adamobie1

Today under warranty my battery has been replaced with a brand new one from Subaru, they also checked alternator etc and all charging fine.
So drove to work and it still doesn't like the cold. Came to start and deiced the car, still turning over but not firing.
Anyone any ideas? Please pm pics of where these checks are if possible as not 100% around these engine bays.

All advice appreciated, starting to annoy me know.......................................

Cheers in advance

adamobie1

Come on any takers to help on this one. I started the thread, didn't expect to have to add responses every day for support. Surely someone has this fault????????????????????

Thanks in advance........................................

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

could well be the cold start sensor causing over or under fueling

adamobie1

Hi,
Could you please ellaborate on this, as to where and what it looks like?

Thanks Turbotits In Advance

madfiddler

I had the same issue on my 55 plate Type UK. It would turn over forever with the 1st turn of the key, 2nd attempt it would fire up almost straight away but if I put my foot down on the throttle it was rather spluttery.

The issue for me was solved when the car had its remap/ecu/exhaust change. Dave @ API told me before having the work down that the remap could well solve the issue - and happily he was right, as all I've heard is how well Scoobies are supposed to start.

m

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Subarus and Baileys are a bad combination. Generally speaking the spring in a Bailey dump valve is too weak in a Subaru application. Bin it anyway, I doubt it's having any effect on your start issue, but it deserves to be in a bin, not on your car.

Try ignition on, count 1-2-3- and then start, it might help. Don't touch the throttle.

Good Luck David APi

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Are you running the standard ECU?

Just a thought....if it's a map based alternative e.g. Simtek, you might want to turn the car's ignition to the second stage, wait to hear the "buzzing" noise end and then fire it up. Should spring into life straight away.

That said, I think this trick also worked on the std ECU IIRC!

Prodrve555

what about youR cam belt ? because if they put the belt on a wrong adjusment like a tooth before where it suppose to be it would struggle to start because ive come across before with own exprience on a customers car...

PR0DR1V3

adamobie1

Cambelt replaced by subaru at service, but this fault is more recent than that. I've had the battery replaced and so far so good.
Fingerscrossed.
Also its running the standard ecu.

Thanks everyone

Motion-Mx

iTrader: (2)

if the timing was slightly out before,then the new cam belt would also be out...

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

As David said - Turn key in ignition to 2nd click and wait 5 seconds for the fuel pump to cycle (on the 06 sti the red light in the dash flashes while it is doing that) - then turn to start it.

Works for me.

adamobie1

I tried turning the key to fill the fuel lines, incase lack of pressure, but didn't have any effect. After changing the battery its firing first time. So possibly faulty battery, as only replaced in april last year, so new one fitted under there warranty.
Jobs a good one, for know!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for everyones advice