My Car Is Possessed By The Devil.

[nukeduster]

To start, my car will simply randomly hardstart. Usually when completely cold it starts easily but after its ran for even 2 minutes the next attempt to start it will result in a long-cranking-start.

This hardstart issue is beyond belief un-curable. I've tested the starter and alternator and both have sufficient voltage to them as well.
I've replaced the FPR, injectors, all temperature sensors in the engine, the CPS, the spark wires, the ignition coil, the distributor & rotor, and every relay.

I tested the AFM its okay.

I'm going to most likely replace the starter and alternator with the ones I know to be good from my 85 325, but who really knows...

I'm starting to think its un-curable. Just crush the car and buy a new one, sorta uncurable.

The one thing I haven't yet tried is the actual ignition switch, but I dont see how it could be that since the ignition switch provides power to the ignition coil relay and when on the "on" position that relay has power. Might as well go replace that next too.

End of the day its just been a learning experience I suppose, wasting copious ammounts of money so that anyone else out there who has the same problem doesn't have to. I guess.

Hardstarting just takes all the joy out of the driving experience.

Someone put me out of my misery.

[DJProfessor]

don't get discouraged.........want constant real problems that you can almost never get rid of fully? go VW


i wonder if you possibly have an injector that is leaking down a bit, fouling out the plugs and giving you a hard start up after she has run for a bit. try pulling the plugs after you let her run for a bit and shut her down and tried cranking on her. see what they look like. i had a jetta that was doing this to me, although much worse. also next time it happens try flooring the gas pedal when you are cranking and see if she fires up any sooner. if she does fire up sooner (full throttle gives it more air than gas) then you probably have a leaky injector.

[nukeduster]

Originally posted by DJProfessor@Apr 8 2005, 08:07 AM
don't get discouraged.........want constant real problems that you can almost never get rid of fully? go VW


i wonder if you possibly have an injector that is leaking down a bit, fouling out the plugs and giving you a hard start up after she has run for a bit. try pulling the plugs after you let her run for a bit and shut her down and tried cranking on her. see what they look like. i had a jetta that was doing this to me, although much worse. also next time it happens try flooring the gas pedal when you are cranking and see if she fires up any sooner. if she does fire up sooner (full throttle gives it more air than gas) then you probably have a leaky injector.

[snapback]328345[/snapback]

already tried that. no different WOT vs not touching it.

[german-speed-demon]

ICV Vavle? used

[DJProfessor]

have you pulled your plugs? what do they look like?

[nukeduster]

with brand new plugs it still hard-started.

[DJProfessor]

well what did they look like? the plugs can help point you in the direction of a fueling issue or ignition issue.


as i start to think about it, i am wondering how your fuel pump is doing......have you pressure tested that sucker?

[german-speed-demon]

Mass airflow sensor? they get goofy sometimes...o2 sensor also?

[DJProfessor]

no MAF on that car.........

and the O2 sensor really only comes into play when the car warms up and goes into closed loop.

what about your ignition coil?........

but right now i am still curious the condition of your plugs

[german-speed-demon]

in first post he said he replaced ignition coil...but hey, if this one's bad, it's warranty time!!!!

[DJProfessor]

my bad, missed that ghead

[jze325i]

Crank position sensor!!!! Have you checked that out??

Those are hit or miss, when they go it could be intermittent (spellcheck) also, I had a VERY similar problem on my '91, I swore it was a fuel probelm because It did not happen ALL of the time, it tured out to be the ignition coil!!?? I dont know about you guys but I have had coils go in the past and they eaither worked or not, so I never suspected it, finally it just croaked and I replace it and VVVRRROOOOOM, all fixed... Hope to be of some help..

[DJProfessor]

i thought that too, but he said he replaced it

[e30fanm3]

sounds like a leaky injecter too, but he said he replaced them too. Did you put in new ones or used?

[adavis]

Another thread on the same topic! I have the same prob with my car. I keep hearing the ICV. That is about the only thing not replaced, but I did clean it and the car idles well after starting. I also thought about the injectors leaking, but saw the price to replace......

There has to be documentation on this issue somewhere. It appears that this is fairly common with these cars. Mine '91 325i

Peace,
Andy