TR slow cold start | FerrariChat

TR slow cold start

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by jkg2101, Jul 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM.

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  1. jkg2101

    jkg2101 Karting

    Jan 25, 2015
    178
    New York
    Hello
    for those who dont remember me, i am a relatively new owner of an 87 TR, US version
    With a lot of help from a few of you here, i spent some time this winter sorting out the fuel injection system, and ended up replacing the thermotime switch and protection relay, and I was able to adjust the mixture screws and throttle blades. etc. to get the car to start and idle and run very well. So thanks again to everyone!

    One thing I have seen in videos, mostly on bringatrailer, of supposed cold starts for TRs, is that the owner twists the key and the engine catches and starts in a half second or less, even when "cold."

    With my TR, if it has been sitting for a while, even if the air temp is warm, the starter has to crank for 2-3 seconds (I timed it, but it seems like an eternity when actually doing it) before the engine catches. I pulled a cold start injector, and it is squirting gasoline during cranking. I normally turn on the ignition and let the fuel pumps run for a second or two before i activate the starter.

    Is this delay in cold start of 2-3 seconds cranking normal, or should it really be almost instantanteous? I wonder if i still have something a little bit off in the throttle blade opening or something.
     
  2. lagunacc

    lagunacc F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 24, 2013
    4,420
    about 2 sec is normal
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,840
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #3 Steve Magnusson, Jul 30, 2025 at 9:15 PM
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
    Normal on a KE-Jet TR on the first start after overnight disuse if the engine temperature is above about 20 deg C (or about 70 deg F) as the TTS is open above that temp = cold start injectors don't squirt. First start after overnight disuse when the engine temp is below 20 deg C will be much "crisper". See pages D80-D81 in the TR WSM for the TR KE-Jet TTS behavior.

    Doesn't do anything (but does give you a chance to confirm/deny if the slowdown warning light self test is working properly on the cat-equipped TR which is important to do). The fuel pumps only run during starter motor cranking (Pos III) or when the key is "on" (Pos II) and engine is actually running (i.e., the 1-6 coil primary current is switching). They don't run when the key is "on" (Pos II) and the engine is not running (because no 1-6 coil primary current switching = the tachometric relay is not closed = the fuel pump relays are not closed = the fuel pumps don't run).
     
  4. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,547
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
    Full Name:
    romano schwabel
    Steve, as I remember on my competition before I put on an other fuel-injection system when I switched the key to ignition on the pumps have been running for about 1 or 2 seconds. this is on all K and KE jetronic cars so - when I remember right? not active in business any more - retired but still doing a little ;)
     
  5. bjunc

    bjunc Formula Junior

    Jun 18, 2023
    463
    Miami, FL
    Full Name:
    Robert
    FWIW, I actually prefer a couple seconds of cranking before ignition on my BBi.
     
  6. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,840
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    No (on a stock TR) -- just key "on" does not close the tachometric relay = fuel pump relays not energized = fuel pumps don't run.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.
  7. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,547
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
    Full Name:
    romano schwabel
    thank you Steve for this info - new to me that the pump when turn the ignition ON not even run for 1 or 2 seconds. BMW, mercedes, VW does it
     
  8. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,840
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    CIS-equipped BMW, etc. or EFI-equipped BMW, etc.? Completely agree that on (most, if not all?) EFI-equipped cars the fuel pump is run briefly at key "on". AFAIK, no CIS-equipped Ferrari does that.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.
  9. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2006
    5,071
    Troy, Michigan
    Full Name:
    James
    My fuel pumps run for 2 seconds when I go to position 2. Then i crank it to start.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.

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