Strange Starting

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Paul Wootton

Paul Wootton

Well-Known Member
Posts
184
Location
S.Wales
P38 4L Gems
Turn the key and the engine fires but immediatly stops,same for the next 2 tries 4th try the engine starts normally.Anybody have any ideas.
 
Paul Wootton said:
P38 4L Gems
Turn the key and the engine fires but immediatly stops,same for the next 2 tries 4th try the engine starts normally.Anybody have any ideas.
Click to expand...
As always start with any codes? Is the idle speed too low? Remembering back to a Volvo in the 80s, used to do similar but also would intermittently stall , was a hole in the down pipe. That's as much as I can suggest.
 
I seem to recall having a similar problem in my 98. It got to the point were I would get in, turn the key to position 2 and buckle up the seat belt and do any other jobs before starting. I eventually replaced the fuel pump in the tank and solved the problem (actually had to as it died completly). I always recommend changing the pump if you don't know how old it is since they can die suddenly and leave you stranded. They are also not that easy to get on short notice or quick to replace. I suppose you could try measuring fuel pressure at the rail and that might indicate how strong the pump is.
 
Another issue that might be worth investigating. If the ECU doesn't see a signal from the MAF, the engine will start, run up to about 500 RPM and then stall. It might be worth pulling the MAF plug and giving it all a squirt with contact cleaner and giving the MAF a good clean with MAF cleaner.

If your P38 is a GEMS, then new fuel filter when fitting the pump.
 
Marshall8hp said:
Another issue that might be worth investigating. If the ECU doesn't see a signal from the MAF, the engine will start, run up to about 500 RPM and then stall. It might be worth pulling the MAF plug and giving it all a squirt with contact cleaner and giving the MAF a good clean with MAF cleaner.

If your P38 is a GEMS, then new fuel filter when fitting the pump.
Click to expand...
You forgot make offerings, pray and light incense.
 
Marshall8hp said:
Another issue that might be worth investigating. If the ECU doesn't see a signal from the MAF, the engine will start, run up to about 500 RPM and then stall. It might be worth pulling the MAF plug and giving it all a squirt with contact cleaner and giving the MAF a good clean with MAF cleaner.

If your P38 is a GEMS, then new fuel filter when fitting the pump.
Click to expand...
Good call, it's an often overlooked service item, only the Gems had them fitted to the chassis forward of the driver's side rear wheel.
 
Could always check the fuel pressure before spending your hard earned ;)
GEMS has a pressure regulator on the fuel rail at the back on the left had side it also has a vacuum hose that comes off of the regulator unit and goes into the lower inlet manifold, its hidden down behind the throttle body and below the connector to the ignition coils in an ideal world fuel pressure should be there even after the car has been left standing but the pump will run for a couple of seconds when you switch on the ignition and then all the time the engine is turning. To be fair you are able to use any pressure gauge a generic tyre gauge will work..
 
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