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2G Hard start on cold engine

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NY 95 TSI AWD

15+ Year Contributor
211
39
Aug 15, 2008
North West Florida, Florida
Ok so I replaced my starter and after that I had a month long nightmare of starting perfect or giving me one click and no start. It was very intermittent and I could always get it to start If I turned the key on and off a few times. I ended up fixing it by running a wire from the battery to a switch and a wire from the starter solenoid, to the other part of the switch. This was the only way I was able to fix that problem.

After that bit of background info, here is the problem. On a cold engine the car has a hard time starting. Like 10-15 seconds of cranking. Once its running it runs good. If I turn it off and back on it starts up pretty normal.

I've already replaced the engine coolant temp sensor and it appears to be reading correctly on my logger. Trust me, I wish it was something that simple. What are some common things to look into for a hard start on cold engine? I tried jumping the fuel pump connector and I hear it pressurize the system but It didn't seem to help much.

Thanks!
 
Ok so I replaced my starter and after that I had a month long nightmare of starting perfect or giving me one click and no start. It was very intermittent and I could always get it to start If I turned the key on and off a few times. I ended up fixing it by running a wire from the battery to a switch and a wire from the starter solenoid, to the other part of the switch. This was the only way I was able to fix that problem.

After that bit of background info, here is the problem. On a cold engine the car has a hard time starting. Like 10-15 seconds of cranking. Once its running it runs good. If I turn it off and back on it starts up pretty normal.

I've already replaced the engine coolant temp sensor and it appears to be reading correctly on my logger. Trust me, I wish it was something that simple. What are some common things to look into for a hard start on cold engine? I tried jumping the fuel pump connector and I hear it pressurize the system but It didn't seem to help much.

Thanks!
How long does it take to actually takr to pressurize the system. Could be as simple as a flow issue. Check fuel filter. Or maybe fuel pressure solenoid not doing its job.
 
I'm not really sure how long it takes because I don't have a pressure gauge. I replaced the fuel filter around 2000 miles ago. I thought the fuel pressure solenoid is only helps on hot starts, but I swapped the one from my talon a few days ago anyway and it didn't help. Swapped the fuel pressure regulator as well.
 
Sounds like not getting fuel. Are you sure the fuel rail pressure is being maintained while off? It should stay there for days, otherwise you have a leak (perhaps your new FPR isn't sealing well or a leaky fuel pump check valve).
 
No, I'm not sure if the pressure is being maintained. I was thinking about getting this...http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMETER-F...its=Model:Eclipse&hash=item3c9c33bd08&vxp=mtr

The frp I swapped with came off of my talon a couple of years ago and worked perfectly then. The fuel pump check valve has my attention though. Is that part of the fuel pump assembly in the tank? The car has 176,000 on it and not sure if the pump has ever been changed. Car is all stock.
 
There is no port on our cars to attach a fuel pressure gauge (sucks). So you have to insert an adapter between the fpr and the rail, or in a hose connector from the fuel filter to the rail. Then most people remove it when done (for safety in case it leaks).

Yes the check valve is part of the fuel pump which is in the tank which is accessed under the rear seats..
 
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After waiting over a week to get my fuel pressure gauge and adapter from the same state, I was sent the wrong part. I want to stick my fist through a wall. While I wait some more, does anyone have any other suggestions?
 
Fuel gauge installed. Fuel pressure seems fine. Anyone have any ideas why on a cold engine is takes forever to crank but it starts up decent on a warm engine?
 
Could be something wrong with the battery, starter, or the wires in between since you said you needed to rig it to work in the first place. Everything always gets worse with weather.
 
Is it not cranking? Or is cranking over and not starting?
 
Honestly if your getting crank and you say the fuel pump is kicking it the only thing that comes to my mind in particular unless you have a isv( idle control valve) delete because the little wax ball in there might be dissolved when it's warm out and hard like a rock when cold out. Do you normally plug you vehicle in? ThAts where I'd maybe venture.
 
If it is not cranking: the place where u put key in has a part that wears down and can be on an off working. There is a thread on site showing fix and modification for it cant find it right now or think of what its called sorry. Also can be simple as battery connection not tight enough mine had that were sometimes nothing then worked and turned out to be that.

For cranking but no start: did u replace CTS with oem part. Sometimes aftermarket ones dont work from the get go. Also check the wiring on it. Possibility of ecu caps gone...fuel filter not flowing 100% has it been replaced in while..everything gets very brittle when cold with our cars good luck with diagnosis thats all i can think of at the moment.[DOUBLEPOST=1416713043][/DOUBLEPOST]Oh and use the how to diagnose a no start thread on here lots of good info
 
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