Hard to start cold and runs badly.

[awdlaser26]

Finally got my Laser after wanting one for so long and now I am having problems. Replaced plugs and wires because of issues. Already has new O2 sensor. Car is hard to start cold and runs like crap until warm and sometimes then doesn't run that great. It's like the car wont go very high RPM and the boost will be high. When its doing this the car is hesitating and not pulling a lot of power. Car only has 68000 original miles and I don't have a lot of experience with it yet. Help a newbie out. Now I get home today and start messing with it and now it is smoking a little. Starting to feel like I have been had.

 

[awdlaser26]

Took car to local performance shop for diag. and found out they could not read ECU. Said it was either wiring or computer itself. Have to take it back tomorrow for more indepth. Sounds like a lot of $$$$$$ either way. Car looks great sitting in driveway though.

 

[awdlaser26]

Not getting a lot of answers on this. New to the scene maybe not enough info. This car is bone stock no mods at all. Just bought it and still getting used to trying to troubleshoot. So took back to shop today and they said still cant run diagnostic. They tell me I might have to take to dealer. I told them I had read in the forum that if seal on fuel pump bad it could explain problems starting after sitting for a while.(Letting fuel drain from lines as it sits) They said that is what they are going to check in the morning. I guess if I need to give them things to look for I need to find a new shop. But that doesnt explain the way it runs when it is started. Sometimes it does not run too bad but still boosts a lot at low RPM (3000). Then other times it has hardly any power and smokes. I am not driving this car but I have found this out by trying different things with it and taking for short drives.(Less than a mile). I guess if I cant get any answers from shop next step will be buying ECU and going from there.

 

[buscodsm]

Don't go crazy and run out and buy an ecu. Although i hate to say this if you have to take your car to satan to find out what the problem is then do that it is better to pay the diagnostic fee then to go out and buy an ecu when you dont need one

 

[awdlaser26]

Performance shop was dead end. At least they didnt make me pay them. I think one of them smilies over there should be in the shape of a lemon. Looks like a trip to the dealer Monday. Fun drive home from shop. Lots of smoke and sputtering. Need a car hauler or something otherwise I will have a Laser that died on the way to get fixed. Dont make too much sense. If I didnt just empty my wallet buying this piece of crap I guess I could afford to get it towed. Wanting one of these cars sure is alot cheaper than owning one.

 

[steve]

Get a factory service manual not one of the cheap Chiltons or Haynes ones. If will save you tons in the long run.

You can read the ECU yourself with less than $5 worth of parts. For quick checks I like using a 12v piezo buzzer (RS273-059) and some microclips. That way I can just listen to the codes or heartbeat is the ECU is fine. Check the VFAQ for the 1G error codes and which pins on the connector by the fuse box to connect to. Pin 1 is the positive and pin 12 the ground.

Steve

 

[awdlaser26]

Tonight I modified the MAF and BCS. Next I am going to mod the canister. Should only take a couple minutes at work(industrial laser cutter). What I did tonight made a little difference in how it ran. I am going to get the manual this week and check into getting some stuff to do tests. Still might take to dealer to get looked at though. Usually go to work when its dark and get home to the same. Thanks for replys and will post what finally solves completely. I know I should prob change the timing belt soon. I think I remember seeing something about removing the rear balance shaft. What do you guys recommend?

 

[awdlaser26]

Dealer was no help either. So I ordered ECU and that fixed it. Car is running great. Thanks for your replies. I am going to get a lot of use from this forum. If anyone needs a good cheap option for an ECU there is a shop on e-bay that sells rebuilt ones real cheap(200.00) and he guarantees them for five days. Worked for me.