XJS Cold Start Problems
#1
02-14-2009, 07:23 AM
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XJS Cold Start Problems
I have a 1994 XJS with a 4.0 litre straight 6, which I keep in a cold dry garage.
I'm having problems starting the engine when it is cold. The engine turns over fine but does not fire. I've replaced the leads, plugs, distributor etc..., but this hasn't made any difference.
I can get it going, when I fit a fully re-charged battery, which I don't understand because the engine turns over ok with a normal good battery fitted.
When I get it going, it runs perfectly and I can stop and restart the engine easily. When the engine is left to go cold, I can't restart without re-charging the battery, even though the engine turns over perfectly. (so I don't think it's the alternator)
Is there a cold start sensor?
Are there injector heaters or something similar?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I'm having problems starting the engine when it is cold. The engine turns over fine but does not fire. I've replaced the leads, plugs, distributor etc..., but this hasn't made any difference.
I can get it going, when I fit a fully re-charged battery, which I don't understand because the engine turns over ok with a normal good battery fitted.
When I get it going, it runs perfectly and I can stop and restart the engine easily. When the engine is left to go cold, I can't restart without re-charging the battery, even though the engine turns over perfectly. (so I don't think it's the alternator)
Is there a cold start sensor?
Are there injector heaters or something similar?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
#2
02-14-2009, 08:43 AM
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Sounds like some sort of voltage drop issue. I'd begin by cleaning battery cable connections, main grounds, and main "+" distribution points. Then get a new battery !
I had a somewhat similar problem on my XJ6 years ago. On a warm start I had to crank-crank-crank-crank before the engine would fire. I checked and/or replaced umpteen things to no avail. One day (Christmas Eve, snowing, at 5:30 pm to be exact) the battery finally expired. I managaed to make it to Sears five minutes before closing and they threw in a new battery.
Not only was Christmas saved but my hard starting problem was gone forever.
The electronics on these cars like maximum amps and volts. If the battery is slightly marginal then weird things happen. I know its sounds crazy, as a battery that can spin a starter motor can surely power up the electronics.....right?
But there you have it !
Others will chime in with more ideas.
Cheers
DD
I had a somewhat similar problem on my XJ6 years ago. On a warm start I had to crank-crank-crank-crank before the engine would fire. I checked and/or replaced umpteen things to no avail. One day (Christmas Eve, snowing, at 5:30 pm to be exact) the battery finally expired. I managaed to make it to Sears five minutes before closing and they threw in a new battery.
Not only was Christmas saved but my hard starting problem was gone forever.
The electronics on these cars like maximum amps and volts. If the battery is slightly marginal then weird things happen. I know its sounds crazy, as a battery that can spin a starter motor can surely power up the electronics.....right?
But there you have it !
Others will chime in with more ideas.
Cheers
DD
#3
02-15-2009, 11:50 PM
Is something possibly staying on that's draining the battery?
Now, I know that you have an XJS, but another XJ6 owner I know had said that the reading lights in the back of his car kept popping out and draining his battery. I would be assuming something is constantly draining it ... Is this a daily driver or does it sit for periods of time unused?
Edit - Also, how cold is 'cold'? Or do you mean when the car has just been sitting?
Now, I know that you have an XJS, but another XJ6 owner I know had said that the reading lights in the back of his car kept popping out and draining his battery. I would be assuming something is constantly draining it ... Is this a daily driver or does it sit for periods of time unused?
Edit - Also, how cold is 'cold'? Or do you mean when the car has just been sitting?
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