Hard to start when motors cold

[matt98eclipse]

Hey guys i have a buddys car thats a 1.8 93 eclipse. Anytime the motors cold the motor will start but idles really bad around 500 to 600 rpms for the first 10 sec or so. What would all cause this?? after idle for 10 sec or so motor idles perfect.

 

[turbo_rookie]

i dont know much about the 1.8 so im not sure if it even has the parts im getting ready to mention but normally that issue can be related to the following sensors, IAT MAP TPS or if it has an IACV those can all cause it to be hard to start. the best way to test a sensor from my experience is to have the vehicle running and unplug the sensor. if the car dies the sensor is normally good. however if it continues to runs or starts running better the sensor is most likely bad. hope this helps.

 

[matt98eclipse]

Hey guys i took a video of what the car does only on first start when motors cold.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Deadliest Synn]

It could be the early stages of the coolant temp sensor taking a crap. Mine did the exact same thing then a month later the CEL came on and it kept getting worse until I tracked it down and replaced it. The sensor is located on the side of the thermostat housing, directly below the giant rubber tube between the air filter and the throttle body. Its a cheap and easy problem, hope that's all it is keep us posted.

 

[andrewrnava]

did you find out whats wrong

 

[DSM1G90]

...what my 1991, 1.8 did - lost a coolant sensor. Popped out the old and put in a new. Starts on a dime no matter what temp it is outside and purrs like a kitten at idle ... with 200500 miles on the original motor.

 

[Bishikid]

Yeah my moneys on the CTS too, swapped mine out, car idles better after start ever sense....

 

[matt98eclipse]

Hey guys i tried switch out the coolant temp sensor out with another one {not new} but seemed to get a little better but not that much. It still does it.

 

[matt98eclipse]

alright guys i think i might have found out my idle problem.... My buddy was driving it around for a little while hes got 60 miles on it now and it threw a CEL light.. I went hooked up my datalogger and it pulled up code 43 witch was egr.

My buddies ecu was messed up was only fireing up on 3 cylinders due to a injector not fireing up. so i installed another ecu out of my parts car. BUT my parts car was from cali so it has a different throttle body and a actually egr valve. When my buddies car doens have any of that...

Anyone know the differences between the cali ecu and non cali ecu's???

STEVE can you please chime in on this bud?

 

[DSM1G90]

CAL ECU's has an extra resistor on the momboard that corresponds with the EGR Temp Sensor (My 91 is a CAL with that sensor...) where the FED ECU doesn't have that resistor on the board since there is no EGR Temp Sensor needed.

If you use a CAL ECU in a FED car, you'll get a CEL for sure since it can't see that one Temp Sensor and it'll think that the sensor has opened up.

that's basically it. There might be some other connections different. - DSM

 

[matt98eclipse]

thanks man so basically only other option i have is to get a fed ecu then?