Having a bit of trouble starting the car. Have to pump the accelerator a lot to get it going.
Any common problems that would cause this?
That’s a loaded question with alot of variables.
would try starting with
Battery Voltage
Fuel Pump priming normally, sound ok?
Spark plugs
Fuel Filter
Most likely battery voltage.
Fuel = ok
Electrics = ok
I’ll put it on charge and see what happens.
Ta
Have to do the same on mine, I have put it down to the weather as it did it last year when it went very cold/damp.
Just keep pumping the pedal and it starts eventually
mmmm Mines just started doing this as well - I’s just had an A service and I stuck a new set of plugs in thinking they were getting a bit shot. I also keep putting a shot of injector cleaner through?
The throttle sticks when its been stood for a while - dont know what will be causing this??
ta
Simon
My personal experience has always beeen that the battery gives out just a little less turning power after being stood for a while or in the cold.
Its marginal when listening to the engine being turned by the starter but enough for the ECU to decide the cranking speed is not sufficient to start fuelling. The engine turns over without so much as a cough. Pressing the accelerator pedal does not make a difference and the longer you turn the engine over , the more you drain the battery which in turn then lowers the cranking speed.
The above is compounded by damp or cold conditions. Sometimes after cranking the engine and failing to start, I have had to remove all the leads, at both the coil and spark plug ends, give them a spray of WD40 and leave on trickle charge for a couple of hours.
Usually, it will fire within the first 3-5 secods or not at all.
I’ve never had a problem since I came up with a way of leaving it on trickle all the time (well, when parked at home).
Ian
Pressing the accelerator pedal does not make a difference and the longer you turn the engine over , the more you drain the battery which in turn then lowers the cranking speed.
Usually, it will fire within the first 3-5 secods or not at all.
Must be a different problem for me than as pumping the pedal does help it start, if I dont then it often wont start at all.
That said the battery does sound weaker when starting thinking about it .
That said the battery does sound weaker when starting thinking about it .
I think you’ve got a real problem if your battery is making noises!
The throttle sticks when its been stood for a while - dont know what will be causing this??
ta
Simon
I have exactly the same problem - dealer has looked at and could not find a problem…if its stood for a coupleof days then i have to remember to press the accelerator before trying to fire it up. The initial pressure needed to overcome the stickiness is quite high, but once it has been moved once it is absolutely fine.
Would love to know what it actually is.
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Would love to know what it actually is.
Sounds like cack in the throttle cable to me. I’ve never had to replace mine, but IIRC it’s a pain in the rectum.
Worse case scenario is dodgy throttle bodies - Paul Robinson (Robbo on here) had all manner of problems getting his sorted
Sounds like cack in the throttle cable to me.
I know you can get special oilers for bowden cables - seen them in my motorcycle days but never used one. Not sure if giving it a good oiling would be a good or bad thing or indeed whether the oiler would work properly as the cables on bikes mostly have a vertical positioning whereas ours are more horizontal and therefore gravity wont really help in running the oil right through the cable.
Indeed, thinking aloud…this wont work if our cable are nylon or PTFE lined - anyone know?
I am pretty sure our cables are not nylon or PTFE lined at all. The whole throttle linkage at the pedal end and the cable run is pretty bad on our cars, so a PTFE lined cable would be a huge advantage. While my car is in pieces and access is easier I am going to look into a different solution. I will let you know how I get on.
The throttle sticks when its been stood for a while - dont know what will be causing this??
ta
Simon
I have exactly the same problem - dealer has looked at and could not find a problem…if its stood for a coupleof days then i have to remember to press the accelerator before trying to fire it up. The initial pressure needed to overcome the stickiness is quite high, but once it has been moved once it is absolutely fine.
Would love to know what it actually is.
Hi Steve - yep thats exactly the same as mine increasing pressure required b4 it finally ‘pops’
Also - since posting my local specialist said exactly the same about the battery/ECU/cranking speed thing. A battery top up charger was recommended - just got to get power to my temporary garage first!!!
A battery top up charger was recommended - just got to get power to my temporary garage first!!!
I have tried a couple of the cheapo ones from Halfrauds but can still experience the problem. I’m not certain that what they sell as a trickle charger is actually the best thing to leave permanently connected to the car whilst stored.
I have done a bit of looking around and this one seems to be the best out there at present and the science quite impressive.
[image]http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/ProductInformation/BatteryCareCTEK800-300x184.jpg[/image]
![http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/ProductInformation/BatteryCareCTEK800-300x184.jpg[/image]](http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/ProductInformation/BatteryCareCTEK800-300x184.jpg%5B/image%5D){kind=link}
There are various models inthe range and they do slightly different things, so make sure you spec the correct one.
as usual the dear ones are better i understand
Mine lives on an Airflow Battery Conditioner.
http://www.airflow-uk.com/battery-conditioner.htm
Although the website seems live, I’ve heard reports they’re no longer in business… (linked to the Rover Dealer in Newbury I think). The CTEK device is the logical replacement.
Anyway - went to start mine this morning after a few weeks lay up and it took 3 attempts. It normally runs on the first attempt… Guess they just don’t like the cold! Brr!
That’s the one Lotus brand as their own.
I have it too, very good.
Ian
Been on trickle charge for a couple of days now so thought i’d give it a start.
No accelerator at all, just turned the key…
…fired straight away.
Must have been the battery getting low.
Definitley keeping on the trickle charger now as I don’t want to have a dead battery and have the trouble finding the right one (as per another thread).
SteveJ,
A trickle charger isn’t the best option if you’re planning on leaving it on the car long(ish) term. For that you would be better off with a battery conditioner, which will keep a good battery in optimum condition.
A trickle charger will do harm in the long term.
HTH.
Tim.