DIFFICULTY STARTING 328GTS | FerrariChat
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DIFFICULTY STARTING 328GTS

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Rosso Corsa, May 28, 2007.

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  1. Rosso Corsa

    Rosso Corsa Karting

    Jan 24, 2006
    101
    No.Fork Long Island
    Full Name:
    Lee
    #1 Rosso Corsa, May 28, 2007
    The last couple days I'm having problem starting my 87 328GTS, starter turns but engine will not start, after few attemps then kicks in and then everything is normal. This is happening few times now. Any input on what the problem may be? Thanks...........Lee
     
  2. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #2 spiderseeker, May 28, 2007
    Fuel pump ?
    You might want to check fuel pressures.
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,930
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #3 Steve Magnusson, May 28, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    As a first test, unplug the safety switch on the airflow meter and turn the key to "on" -- you should hear the fuel pump run. Then (with the fuel pump running) turn the key to "start" and see if the engine starts more promptly.

    If the fuel pump does run (with the safety switch unplugged and key "on"), but it still has a hard time starting -- most probably an ignition problem and you should confirm/deny spark with a timing light during the no-start cranking.

    If the fuel pump does run (with the safety switch unplugged and key "on"), and it starts promptly -- try swapping a different ..101 relay into the relay S "Fuel injection delivery pump starting-relay" position.

    If the fuel pump doesn't run (with the safety switch unplugged and key "on") -- that's a different kettle of fish ;)
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  4. Franco63

    Franco63 Guest

    #4 Franco63, May 29, 2007
    Steve

    Sorry to slightly hijack this thread but the points are relative.

    My 328 only runs smoothly with the safety plug disconnected although once the engine has warmed up you can reconnect it and it runs ok. With the safety plug connected at start up and it will tick over as long as you don't touch the throttle ..... then relay "S" starts clicking on and off and the engine cuts out.

    Checked the safety plug with and ohm meter as you previously suggested and I do get a reading with the engine running. Swapped the relays about too.

    Basically I still havent found the root cause of the fault. I'm I right in saying that the safety plug is connected to a micro switch on the air intake flap ? If so could it be gundged up ?

    Someone else in the FOC suggested that the problem might lie with the fuel enrichment valve ..... does that make any sense ?

    As always, appreciate any advice you can offer.

    Regards
    Franco
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,930
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #5 Steve Magnusson, May 29, 2007
    Have to disagree -- everything you posted suggests that the safety switch is the root cause of your trouble. I haven't seen the internals of how the safety switch is configured/mounted so I can't comment on your report of seemingly being "bad" cold and OK when warm, but "bad" when cold is bad enough to warrant attention ;)

    No, not really (and since unplugging the safety switch does solve the problem that indicates all else is OK) -- a "clicking" relay S at cold start-up is a clear problem that must be addressed (regardless of anything else).
     
  6. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
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    Kenneth
    #6 Ken, May 29, 2007
    Got a hair dryer? Take of the distributor cap (s) and get the insides warm. Re-install and see if the car starts right away. If so, you have a moisture leak; get new caps. I chased a starting problem in my Lotus forever: coil, wires, rotor, etc. and that was it: bad cap.

    Ken
     
  7. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,149
    Atlanta
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    Tom Spiro
    #7 spirot, May 29, 2007
    if you have power at the fuel pump, they you may have a connector the is cracked either in the footwell or at the relay... I had the same issue... it woudl start some time and then other would not ... turned out to be the connector behind the passanger foot well... it did take a bit of tracing. I would search for an electrical issue before anything else.
     
  8. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    #8 Ken, May 29, 2007
    It very well may be an electrical issue along the path; tracing it will take time and $$$ swapping out part after part that may be fine. Try the hair dryer, unless you have a specific symptom that points elsewhere and you can home in on it. It seemed to me you were chasing many possibilities at the same time. It's free and easy to try my suggestion, and if it's not a bad cap after all, you at least know eventually you'll replace/swap out the right part and be done with it.

    Ken
     

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