04 VDP won't start when very cold
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 51
From: Martin, TN
"You're not alone!!!" I left the car out for 6 days it went to 25 degrees and now it will not start. it tries to kick over every once in a while almost starts but just won't hold on.
Battery is strong. Been charging it and trying again and again. it gets a little fuel kicks once or twice but won't start.
HELP
Battery is strong. Been charging it and trying again and again. it gets a little fuel kicks once or twice but won't start.
HELP
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 976
Likes: 69
From: Leeds, UK.
A trick we used in the old days when a car would "almost" start in cold weather was to pour an eggcup of petrol 'down the hole' (air intake). It usually started then. If it conked out immediately, there would be no petrol getting to carb./injector system, or it was far too lean for cold weather starting. Easy and cheap to do, so worth a try, -- my favorite sentence.
Leedsman.
Leedsman.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 51
From: Martin, TN
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 51
From: Martin, TN
I know this is going to sound very strange but my 96 VP does the same thing.
I finally found it.
My exhaust was freezing up.
I drilled a hole in my exhaust pipe about 1/2 inch diameter. started fine.
Then when the exhaust thawed out I covered it with a hose clamp and a piece of tin.
Now when it clogs up in the winter I undo the hose clamp and start it right up.
Took me months to completely identify the problem!!!!
I finally found it.
My exhaust was freezing up.
I drilled a hole in my exhaust pipe about 1/2 inch diameter. started fine.
Then when the exhaust thawed out I covered it with a hose clamp and a piece of tin.
Now when it clogs up in the winter I undo the hose clamp and start it right up.
Took me months to completely identify the problem!!!!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 11,057
Likes: 2,272
From: Perth Ontario Canada
Aside from quick runs of only a few minutes, the entire exhaust system gets very hot, well above any temperature that could allow moisture to condense. Although water is a by product of combustion, it ceases to be produced as soon as the engine stops.
What exactly is collecting in your hot mufflers in sufficient quantities to block them and where is it coming from?
What exactly is collecting in your hot mufflers in sufficient quantities to block them and where is it coming from?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 51
From: Martin, TN
I'm not sure exactly it's getting blocked, but I do drive short distances alot; not enough to get the muffler hot.
However this usually only happens when the vehicle sits for days and days outside without being driven. I'm pretty sure it's just moisture because as soon as the exhaust get's hot it runs fine.
However this usually only happens when the vehicle sits for days and days outside without being driven. I'm pretty sure it's just moisture because as soon as the exhaust get's hot it runs fine.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 57
From: Wyoming, MN
Same for me - hard start as it gets colder
I posted this on the XJ8 forum and didn't get a response, so I thought I would try here.
Hi all, I have a 2004 VDP that has about 54000 miles on it. I have had it since 2006, with 6500 miles, and love the car. One problem that has been driving me crazy, however, is that whenever the outside temperature is below 25 degrees fahrenheit, the car will crank and crank, but will not start. This has been happening for two winters and I have had the car towed at least four times to the dealer and independent garages and by the time they get to look at it, the temperature has warmed up and the car starts right up. This past week, when it was 16, 18 and 25 degrees, the car wouldn't start. Yesterday, when it was 36, it started right up. Does anyone have any ideas or has anyone else had this problem? thanks. John
Hi all, I have a 2004 VDP that has about 54000 miles on it. I have had it since 2006, with 6500 miles, and love the car. One problem that has been driving me crazy, however, is that whenever the outside temperature is below 25 degrees fahrenheit, the car will crank and crank, but will not start. This has been happening for two winters and I have had the car towed at least four times to the dealer and independent garages and by the time they get to look at it, the temperature has warmed up and the car starts right up. This past week, when it was 16, 18 and 25 degrees, the car wouldn't start. Yesterday, when it was 36, it started right up. Does anyone have any ideas or has anyone else had this problem? thanks. John
my symptoms...
The colder it gets the longer it takes to start. Cranks fast and fine. Just won't fire.
Last winter if it was under 20 degrees F it would take much longer cranking to get her to fire. crank crank crank.... wait crank crank crank... wait crank crank-fire...
the cloder it was the longer it took cranking to start.
Last morning 30 degrees and its worse. crank crank crank...wait, crank crank crank...finally starts. It's got to be some sensor, or switch that needs the contact heated up to connect....
Any thoughts.
Tom
2004 XJ8 200,000 miles.
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 20,517
Likes: 15,288
From: Crossroads of America
Tom,
Have you scanned for any stored fault codes (Diagnostic Trouble Codes or DTCs)?
At 200,000 miles, how long has it been since your last full tune-up?
Don
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 57
From: Wyoming, MN
No codes....
Full tune up last fall. (plugs, points, cap, rotor, condenser)
Colder it is the longer it cranks. It does eventually fire off after lots of cranking. Last winter, I gave up and parked it. Below 20 it would not start reliably....
Absolutely no issues above 35 degrees.
I did try something this morning, but it wasn't really cold out. Cycled the key three times to get the fuel pump to pressure the lines. Had a chevy truck a few years back where the fuel lines would release pressure overnight. Some kind of valve in the pump to hold pressure. Had to cycle the pump to build up pressure. It fired right off this morning.
Thinking that might be the issue here.
Tom
Full tune up last fall. (plugs, points, cap, rotor, condenser)
Colder it is the longer it cranks. It does eventually fire off after lots of cranking. Last winter, I gave up and parked it. Below 20 it would not start reliably....
Absolutely no issues above 35 degrees.
I did try something this morning, but it wasn't really cold out. Cycled the key three times to get the fuel pump to pressure the lines. Had a chevy truck a few years back where the fuel lines would release pressure overnight. Some kind of valve in the pump to hold pressure. Had to cycle the pump to build up pressure. It fired right off this morning.
Thinking that might be the issue here.
Tom
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 11,057
Likes: 2,272
From: Perth Ontario Canada
Your engine doesn't have any of these components............
As mentioned way up above, my S-Type starts very well in any weather condition, even -30*C. The engines are virtually identical.
As mentioned way up above, my S-Type starts very well in any weather condition, even -30*C. The engines are virtually identical.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
I suspect that you are having a fuel enrichment problem during cold starts. It's like trying to start a asperated engine without a choke in cold weather. Air is more dense and you need more fuel in a cold start condition.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 57
From: Wyoming, MN
Tom
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 5
From: Illinois
I have the same on my '04 XJ8 4.2. As soon as it goes below 30 degrees F, cranks but no start. If I crank it long enough, or try it multiple times, it will eventually start. Went through the whole winter wondering if it was going to start. Really don't want to go through that again this year. No codes ever come up.
Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 804
From: The beautiful Mornington Peninsula in OZ
I may be able to help here. Some time ago my engine would not start and I was convinced the
starter was not engaged since it span so freely.
I started to remove starter but had to give up since it needed a curved spanner.
Next day I tried it again and it started-never had a problem since.
It never gets less than about +5 deg C here (near the sea) so it was not cold.
Some time later I was trying out SDD and to my surprise it found a code.
I do not remember the code exactly but it referred to a circuit which monitors the supply to the fuel
pump and the explanation was the same as PO231
P0231 Fuel Pump Secondary (Feedback) Circuit Low Voltage
Possible bad contact in cold weather caused by contracting metal?
Good luck folks.
starter was not engaged since it span so freely.
I started to remove starter but had to give up since it needed a curved spanner.
Next day I tried it again and it started-never had a problem since.
It never gets less than about +5 deg C here (near the sea) so it was not cold.
Some time later I was trying out SDD and to my surprise it found a code.
I do not remember the code exactly but it referred to a circuit which monitors the supply to the fuel
pump and the explanation was the same as PO231
P0231 Fuel Pump Secondary (Feedback) Circuit Low Voltage
Possible bad contact in cold weather caused by contracting metal?
Good luck folks.
Last edited by meirion1; Oct 24, 2014 at 06:20 PM.
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 20,517
Likes: 15,288
From: Crossroads of America
Hi EddieTopple,
Welcome to the Jaguar Forums! It's great to have you with us.
Please visit the New Member Area - Intro a MUST and post a required introduction so we can learn something about you and your Jaguar and give you a proper welcome.
Also, please read the important information at the link below.
New Members - a MUST READ if You Have Just Signed Up
Cheers,
Don
Welcome to the Jaguar Forums! It's great to have you with us.
Please visit the New Member Area - Intro a MUST and post a required introduction so we can learn something about you and your Jaguar and give you a proper welcome.
Also, please read the important information at the link below.
New Members - a MUST READ if You Have Just Signed Up
Cheers,
Don
