Cold start problem?

MARTIN RAFKO

MEMBER
2001 ROVER 45
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
54,000 MILES

Hi,

I've been having an issue with my vehicle ever since I returned from holiday. When trying to start cold the engine struggles to turn the motor over, it chokes immediately and shakes a little bit.

Before it wouldn't start the first time, but when I tried the second time it fired right up. Now it's just choking, shaking, and struggling to start up even after three tries.

The car is running fine once it started, when warm it start straight up like before.

I've replaced the battery, fuel pump and coolant temperature sensor. None of that helped.

Any thoughts where the problem could be? Fuel system seems fine.

Cheers

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

This model isn't offered in the US, but I will try my best to help.

I want you to try something and let me know the results. Follow these directions and let me know the results.

1) Turn the key from the off to the run position (engine off) and count to 5.

2) Repeat step 1 a total of 5 times.

3) On the 6th cycle, see if it starts normally.

Let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, November 6th, 2022 AT 9:02 PM

MARTIN RAFKO

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Joe,

I tried it but it did not help.

Was thinking if car is chocking when starting could the problem be in throttle body or sparks/injectors? Cheers

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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 8:32 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

It could be the result of a few things. For example, the fuel pressure may be too low or too high. Also, the engine coolant temperature sensor may be faulty.

The engine coolant temp sensor on many vehicles is used by the PCM to determine the air/fuel mixture based on temperature. If it is very cold, the fuel mixture is richer and the opposite.

Here is what I suggest. If you have a live data scan tool, before starting the vehicle in the morning, see if the temperature sensor's signal is near the outside ambient temperature. Also, when it does finally start, see if there is any smoke from the exhaust. Since you mentioned it feels/sounds flooded, see if there is any dark gray or black smoke from the exhaust when you start it.

If you don't have a scanner to do this, I would suggest checking the fuel pressure.

Here is a link that explains in general how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 7:00 PM