Difficult starting 85 308QV US | FerrariChat

Difficult starting 85 308QV US

Discussion in '308/328' started by jlc308, May 23, 2010.

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  1. jlc308

    jlc308 Karting

    Jul 11, 2009
    121
    Irvine CA
    Hello, I am fairly new to the site and I have been fascinated by all the information sharing that goes on and I love it. Now my problem if anyone can advise and I am sure there must be threads on this already.
    I am having difficulty starting my car regardless cold or hot. I haven't driven the car much and it always ran very decent. Once the cars starts it runs very smooth and plenty of power on the highway. Recently I didn't pass smog so I decided to do a lot of maintenance and replacing old parts like fuel filter, fuel pump, new gas, wires, dist caps, rotors, coils, plugs, extenders, crank sensors, grounded digiplexes, WUR, cold start injector, O2 protection relay, injectors.

    Bear in mind these items were either 18 years old or some even original so I didn't mind replacing parts trying to solve my problem, in fact everytime I changed something the car improved in performance. Once the car starts after about 5 to 6 attempts it goes to high idle at about 2500 rpm and after warmup drops to about 1100. I don't think it is a fuel problem otherwise it would run poorly.

    I am guessing somewhere in the ignition system and I connected one of those spark plug test lights from Autozone to each of the coils. One end was connected to the coil and the other end to ground. I did this to see if the coils were delivering spark to the distributors Cranked the car and the light would have a soft glow then a sudden flash of light and then back to a glow and flash again. Could this mean maybe the car is having a hard time starting because of a weak spark??

    Any advise is appreciated and thanks to all.
     
  2. r48

    r48 Karting

    Dec 18, 2008
    102
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    R
    yes, There is a problem with ignition system.
     
  3. barcheta

    barcheta F1 Rookie

    Nov 15, 2003
    3,738
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #3 barcheta, May 24, 2010
    Last edited: May 24, 2010
    Weak spark indeed. Looks like you've gotten rid of all the cheap easy stuff. Did you actually replace the coils with new? Did you replace the battery? Do a test on the alternator? Starter? Sounds like you've ruled out most of the obvious. Oh and clean the contact on the digiplexes if you haven't already. sometimes that helps.
     
  4. jlc308

    jlc308 Karting

    Jul 11, 2009
    121
    Irvine CA
    Thanks for the responses. Yes battery is new, coils were replaced with a spare set but not new but tested good, alternator is good, digiplex cleaned and grounded. I'm going to try Birdman's new fuseboxes and replace all the original 25 year old relays. Any other suggestions are welcome. Once car starts it runs very strong and fast on highway and nice idle.
     

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