Another 328 Starting Problem

For the past year I have had a problem with my 328 in that the engine would stumble after starting cold for the first few seconds. The idle was low, then it would pick up to the normal faster cold idle. The car drove well and the problem only appeared for the first few seconds after starting. Moreover, the problem did not always occur. Sometimes it started and idled like it should. When the problem occurred, if I immediately shut the key off and restarted, the problem would not occur on the second or third try.

Early this week I started it for a morning drive. The engine started right up, then went to a very low idle and stumbled. Before I could shut it off to do the restart, the engine quit and would not restart. However it would crank very fast indicating to me that it wanted to start. I pulled a plug wire and to check that there was spark. There was. After checking on Ferrari Chat, I found some tests that Steve M. recommended about how to get the fuel pump to run bypassing the ignition. My pump would not run.

In my case the problem was the fuse for the fuel pump. It looked OK but an ohm meter indicated an open circuit. I put in a new fuse. The car starts as it should every time. What amazes me is that the fuse has been the culprit for the past year. The fuse and relays were the first things I had checked. As I said, the fuse looked OK.

I have read that fuses should be replaced every so often. Think I'll do that from now on. This was the factory installed fuse, 22 years old. I have also replaced the fuel pump relays.

 

hey there,

Not sure if I have the same situation or not. Occasionally, if the car sits for longer periods of time without starting - max 3-4 weeks in wintertime with snow, mine kind of sputters upon starting. If it dies, I just took the key out, put it back in and it has always then started. I also started using a battery tender with may/may not help.

Could you please describe the "fuse" thing in more detail. I assume you are talking about the fuse area in the front area of the passenger seat. Which fuse? More details.

Thanks, Micahel Brown

 

There's a tiny opening on top of each fuse. You can hook up a voltmeter to check for voltage across each fuse, without having to remove the fuse or shut the power down. A reading other than 0.00 V is bad, as the fuse should be a dead short between the terminals.

 

Good to know. Saves time and effort. Thanks.

 

Yes, I think it's the fourth fuse from the left end of row of fuses -15 amps. It's right in front of passenger seat. There is a large sticker on the underside of the panel that defines all the fuses and relays. My fuse looked good. It must have has some resistance to it before it finally blew. I never checked its resistance - only looked at it. When it finally blew, the engine would not start. But for the longest time I would have some stumbling when first started as you describe. You also have two relays that control the fuel pump. One works when you turn the key to start to turn over the engine. The other takes over when you release the key after engine catches.

 

this is when I should "listen to my little voice" (Magnum PI reference) and go to the store and buy replacement fuses NOW - BEFORE I find myself in a bad situation.

Mike