Re: [DML] Starting Problem

["Walter" <Whalt@xxxx>]

Mark,

I suggest checking the cold start valve circuit.

The cold start valve injects a shot of fuel to help a cold engine to start.
It does this only while the starter is cranking. If the engine doesn't
start after a few seconds of cranking, then a heater inside of the thermo
time switch warms up and disables the cold start valve to stop the engine
from flooding. But if the thermo time switch never lets the cold start
valve open within the first several seconds of cranking, then it will never
open until the thermo time switch has cooled back off again.

This might be why your engine will start one day and then not start the
next. Each time the switch contacts inside the thermo time switch cool off
after either a failed starting attempt or after running the car, the switch
contacts may intermittently not reset. Then the next time you try to start
the car, the switch cycles again. Perhaps on the next cycle the contacts
will finally allow the cold start valve to operate.

.....So, maybe you have an intermittently bad thermo time switch. Let the
car sit and cool off for a few hours and then check the thermo time switch's
contacts with an ohm meter. There are two contacts. The connection from
one contact to ground is the heating element that warms it up to stop
flooding during excessive starting. You should measure continuity through
this path. The connection from the other contact to ground is the circuit
giving power to the cold start valve. If it is EVER open when the engine is
cold, then it is bad, bad, bad and your car may not start.

Another symptom that would support my hypothesis: You never have this
problem once your engine is warmed up. It is only a cold starting problem.

This idea is just a shot in the dark, but it's worth a thought.

Walt Tampa, FL