getting harder to start car

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 11:57 AM

Ive been noticing with my car that it doesnt fire up on the first turn of the key.

The car turns over well still.

But it just doesnt want to start off the first turn of the key. Sometimes it takes the second turn of the key even third.

This tends to happen more so when the car his already warm, and occasionally I give the car very little bit of pedal to rev it so it fires.

My car is on dual fuel. I start it on the LPG side. I have petrol in the fuel tank incase you ask.

Could this be an electrical issue? Like ignition, coil pack etc?

I recently changed plugs and leads. Plugs set to 0.8mm gap.

Fev · 08-01-2009, 12:02 PM

check the battery voltage, may be the problem

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

check the battery voltage, may be the problem

I wouldnt have thought so, but I'll get it checked out.

It seems to turn over first time with petrol.

Im thinking considering the LPG likes spark and is sensitive to it that there may be a drop in coil voltage?

**Peuty** · 08-01-2009, 12:22 PM

If the coils are anything like the V8 ones, it will be shagged. might be worth looking at. Only thing is Shav, MSD don't do a replacement coil for the I6, so you will have to get a factory Ford one.

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

If the coils are anything like the V8 ones, it will be shagged. might be worth looking at. Only thing is Shav, MSD don't do a replacement coil for the I6, so you will have to get a factory Ford one.

Is there any other option than going ford factory??? I dont want to be rogered by their prices. Like accel or ICE or something?

vztrt · 08-01-2009, 12:29 PM

I think NGK might.

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 12:43 PM

thanks vztrt. I'll look into that. Its got to be cheaper than genuine ford.

**Peuty** · 08-01-2009, 01:03 PM

Can't help with other brands sorry.

**Peuty** · 08-01-2009, 01:05 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORD-FALCON-A...3286.m20.l1116

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 01:13 PM

Thats not a bad price dan, assuming my coil pack is the issue.

Im thinking of going something like this http://www.iceignition.com/2216.HTM

Do you think my spark will improve when starting with this module added?

**Peuty** · 08-01-2009, 01:17 PM

I don't see why it wouldn't improve, however, if your coil is the original factory one, then I would recommend changing it.

New coil + ICE kit = better than before!

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

I don't see why it wouldn't improve, however, if your coil is the original factory one, then I would recommend changing it.

New coil + ICE kit = better than before!

Very true. Cheers mate. Im gonna send ya a PM.

5.0 ED · 08-01-2009, 02:32 PM

Seeing that it starts fine on petrol and its lpg your talking about when warm, then it will be the lpg system, just take it and get him to adjust the warm changeover point so that it starts on petrol when warm.

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

Seeing that it starts fine on petrol and its lpg your talking about when warm, then it will be the lpg system, just take it and get him to adjust the warm changeover point so that it starts on petrol when warm.

is this adjustment on every lpg system?

Mr Hardware · 08-01-2009, 03:07 PM

just use a teeeeeny little bit of throttle, should sort your issues.

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

just use a teeeeeny little bit of throttle, should sort your issues.

Thanks mate, Im doing that now. Seems to work. Still, I used to do that with my old carby engines. Wouldnt expect to do that with this car. LOL

5.0 ED · 08-01-2009, 04:57 PM

No not all systems but it sounds like yours has it cause it starts good when cold, im guessing u give it a little rev and click it switches over, there's normally an adjustment so that when the car is warm it will just start of lpg, but can be changed to start on petrol still.

Its not anything to actually worry about, nor of concern to go put good money into parts that arnt necessarilly faulty, unless you want to put them on to try and gain improvements.

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

No not all systems but it sounds like yours has it cause it starts good when cold, im guessing u give it a little rev and click it switches over, there's normally an adjustment so that when the car is warm it will just start of lpg, but can be changed to start on petrol still.

Its not anything to actually worry about, nor of concern to go put good money into parts that arnt necessarilly faulty, unless you want to put them on to try and gain improvements.

Very true. And thanks for the advice.

I will get my mechanic to check it out and see if its something simple to adjust first before I fork out the dough on replacement parts.

glennb · 08-01-2009, 06:49 PM

I have a similar problem with my au 3 xr6. It starts good sometimes then some times it takes a couple of turn overs to get it going. It seems to be worse after a long trip you can here it trying to grab the spark but coughs and putts a bit then finally gets going. Took it to Ford and they said no problem, they checked fuel pressure, spark level, earthing points, but I would of thought there would of been some kind of fault code in there but they say no :togo: annoying isnt it, Ive already put new leads on , new spark plugs the cost of ford to check it and still no result.

blueoval · 08-01-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennb

I have a similar problem with my au 3 xr6. It starts good sometimes then some times it takes a couple of turn overs to get it going. It seems to be worse after a long trip you can here it trying to grab the spark but coughs and putts a bit then finally gets going. Took it to Ford and they said no problem, they checked fuel pressure, spark level, earthing points, but I would of thought there would of been some kind of fault code in there but they say no :togo: annoying isnt it, Ive already put new leads on , new spark plugs the cost of ford to check it and still no result.

I know this wont give you comfort but I feel better knowing Im not alone on this inherent issue. I reckon Ford would say its 'within tolerance' when they checked it. But I reckon its like its lost spark when the car is warm. Like the coil loses spark or something. Its not a major thing that really really needs attention, but it something thats been bugging me progressively.

I'll get it looked at and if there is a slight hint or a small sign of something spark related not working to its fullest potential, I'll get it replaced. If it improves with this change, I'll post up the possible solution here.

Mr Hardware · 09-01-2009, 08:48 AM

oooh, i forgot. also, when you go to start the car, turn the car to on, and pause there for about 2 seconds before you actually crank it, give the pumps a chance to get fuel to the motor etc.

AUbigfoot · 09-01-2009, 09:37 AM

I had this with an old au of mine on gas. Would take 2-3 times to start. Sometimes on cold sometimes on hot, i presume its a similar 'problem'. Your not alone blueoval!

glennb · 21-01-2009, 09:05 PM

i take it this one is down as a "ford thing"

Mr Hardware · 21-01-2009, 09:41 PM

nope, more like an LPG thing. a good LPG mechanic will fix it in no time.