328 cold start problem | FerrariChat
Buy

328 cold start problem

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by CharlieL, Apr 10, 2005.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. CharlieL

    CharlieL Rookie

    Sep 23, 2004
    41
    #1 CharlieL, Apr 10, 2005
    My '89 328 has developed a weird cold start problem. Upon first cranking it will start for a couple of seconds and then die. It will not restart without putting the gas pedal to the floor and cranking for 8-10 seconds or more. It will then gradually start and then run perfectly. Driveability is still very good, even after the forced start, and hot starts are instantaneous. I have swapped all of the relays involved in the system, and confirmed that the fuel pump comes on as soon as the car starts cranking. The cold start injector delivers fuel for 2-3 seconds upon cranking, which may be a little too short. Has anyone heard of a thermo-time switch failing by shutting off the cold start too fast? I also believe that the O2 sensor has given up the ghost and will replace it Monday. Could that generate these types of symptoms?

    All thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

    --Charlie
     
  2. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2003
    3,758
    Alaska
    Full Name:
    Mule
    #2 Mule, Apr 10, 2005
    Charlie,
    Not sure if it is related, but the hose from my tank to the fuel accumulator broke. After it was replaced, it started fine. Not sure where it is or what it does, but it starts everytime first try.

    Before, it did the same thing you mentioned.
     
  3. Tono1954

    Tono1954 Rookie

    Apr 8, 2005
    3
    #3 Tono1954, Apr 10, 2005
    A fuel filter change...? When was the last time..!!
     
  4. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
    2,223
    TN
    #4 308GTS, Apr 10, 2005
    Ok the best thing to do is purchase the Bosch FI book by Probst and there is another one but I don't remember the authors name. On the Thermo Time Switch it depends on the temperature. For now 3 secs. should be sufficient. How is the spray pattern on the CSI? Here are some thoughts. Since it stops right away I would be interested in knowing your Cold Control pressure. Have you checked your CIS Fuel Pressures? Your CC maybe to high and causing this. Also, like I mentioned your spray pattern on your CSI could be off. Did you verify that you have the correct CSI for your car? Check the Bosch part # and compare with Boschs website. I have seen a few 308s/328s with the wrong CSI causing similar issues. Last thing is not the happiest of thoughts but the control plunger in your fuel distributor could be getting slightly hung up upon cold start. Since the WUR is in its lowest pressure setting the control plunger maybe sticking slightly in that position and as the car warms up the pressure gets higher thus causing the control plunger to be in a different position. Many things to check so keep us posted.
     
  5. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W
    #5 Ferrari_tech, Apr 11, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The only accurate way to diagnose what the fault is, is to carry out a full pressure test, this will point you in the right direction. Here's a trouble shooting guide that may be of some help. There are many posts about this subject that contain technical data etc., but if you can't find them I will post for you.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  6. tamf328

    tamf328 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    477
    #6 tamf328, Apr 13, 2005
    funny I just went through that problem with my 328. It did it twice in 1 day.
    I took the Aux air valve off and cleaned and checked it. Checked all the vaccuum lines and cleaned the throttle body. Checked the connection to the WUR. The problem hasn't shown up since.

    Other symptoms were, inconsistant idle when cold i.e. not high enough, or took too long to settle to a normal idle at normal temp.

    When it didn't start when cold on the first attempt it would do what you explained. Run for about 3-5 seconds and stall, took forever to get it started afterwards.
    When warm it was fine, idled fine, drove fine.
    Some people check the WUR and cold pressures, that's the only way to find out for sure. There's a lot crap to check, it's an anceint FI design, but not as complex as others.

    Until my car screws up again, I'm not bothering. I suspect something was just dirty or stuck....
     
  7. CharlieL

    CharlieL Rookie

    Sep 23, 2004
    41
    #7 CharlieL, Apr 14, 2005
    Thanks for the suggestions. I will be having a pressure test done this morning, and hopefully the gremlin will reveal its ugly self. I will post the results when it is finally found.

    --Charlie
     

Share This Page