john banks

I don't have any diagnostic equipment for wife's Puma at all. Only had it a few weeks, but it sometimes is very reluctant to start.

It is 18 months old, 22000 miles, 1.7.

Whether hot or cold, intermittently it requires much longer than normal on the starter to fire and then reluctantly fires at low RPM for a few seconds before recovering a good idle. Otherwise drives perfectly, no engine warning lights etc. Can't see any obvious leaks/poor connections etc, but will check it all in detail.

Tried to find web info on known issues, diagnostics links etc.

Will try the usual suspects like battery voltage, look at the spark plugs, could consider the fuel pressure etc. Are there any sensors which are prone to failure on these? Any known sticky solenoids etc?

Any links to where I might post for some hints would be handy.

[Edited by john banks - 2/15/2003 10:40:46 PM]

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

pumapeople forum

http://www.zippy172.com/pumapeople/forum/

looked a bit quiet on there but might be worth a try

john banks

Thanks, have just posted there.

SiDHEaD

You are giving it a few seconds between ignition on and then actually trying to fire the engine?

We have a 1.7 Puma and a Zetec-S (basically same) and sometimes they do as you say if you immediately try to start them. Have done from brand-new.

Hopefully you havent got anything to worry about!

Andy

brickboy

Agree with SidHead -- every car I've had for the last five years likes a couple of seconds of "ignition on" to build up fuel pressure before turning the key to the start position.

I know the car isn't related but my old Volvo T4 was a swine for this, hot or cold. If I didn't count 1-elephant-2-elephant-3 before turning the key, it would take forever to fire and when it did fire it would run like two HT leads were unplugged.

If I followed the "routine" it fired within a second, perfectly ...

S.B.

Out loud or whisper...

beemerboy

imagine doing that in a getaway car!!!!
the reconstruction on crimewatch would be hilarious!!!!

hahahahhah

BB

"Right!! GO GO GO.... - 1 elephant....

hahahahha i'm pi55ing myself over here.......

john banks

LOL thanks guys, was leaving it in pos II until I heard the fuel pump stop, but will try it longer.

Did you find if it doesn't start and then you try again it is really difficult no matter how long you give it? Our previous Fiesta 1.4 Zetec did this as well occasionally, wondered if it gets slightly flooded by your first attempt to start it, occasionally either car has required a bit of throttle to start in these circumstances. Other times perfect.

[Edited by john banks - 2/16/2003 10:33:01 AM]

Little Miss WRX

I had an S-reg 1.25 zetec Fiesta and a W reg 1.7 Puma and admittedly I had no issues starting either one.......

SCOSaltire

totally unrelated car...
but my old old astra used to do this...
turned out to be a thermostat sensor or cam sensor.. cant remember which

try to figure out what u did with the car the last time u used it... how long u drove it for / what time of day / the weather / time of the month?

cars.. cant live with them, cant live without them

brickboy

John, after an unsuccessful attempted start, a whiff of throttle usually helped the second try and seemed to help it fire on all four.

Sometimes I think it's all too easy to catch out the ECU's start routines. If there's any part to suspect, I would point the finger at the idle air valve or the crank / cam position sensor ... it may be worth unplugging and cleaning the connectors on each just in case any crud is causing a dicky connection.

The Zohan

Ours did this, usually when left for a couple of days, like not used over the weekend then could take an age to start on a Monday. Usually only when cold and damp.

Car spun over OK just did not sound like it was firing. eventually caught on a couple of cyls then on all four and was OK, could take 1-2 mins of turning over!

Ford could not replicate fault so no fix there.

Never cured it.

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Mine does this occasionally but I just hold the accelerator on the floor and try again and it starts Try that

Paul

RONAN

Mine (racing puma) has the very same problem! main dealer could offer no reason! so what i do when it happens is keep the accelerater lightly pressed while turning and then it starts after a couple of turns.I would say its some kind of air lock in the fuel line cause it sounds like it wont fire and thats a sure sign its not getting any petrol.Im very interested to know how you get on with this so keep us posted.